FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County residents voiced their concerns with the police department at the third meeting of a commission charged with reviewing police policies and procedures in the county on Monday night.
The Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, composed of county officials, police and members of the community, was created after John Geer, of Springfield, was shot and killed by a county police officer outside his home in 2013. The county recently settled a wrongful death suit with the family.
At the meeting, there were calls for more training for officers in the use of force. Cody Claxton, of Vienna, told the commission that police officers should be retrained to not point their guns at someone unless they become a threat.
“We are citizens, not targets,” Claxton said.
The commission also heard from people who believe police should be better prepared to interact with someone suffering from mental illness. Joanna Walker, with Concerned Fairfax, says more officers should undergo crisis intervention training which teaches deescalation techniques for interacting with a person having a psychological breakdown.
Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, told the commission that all police departments can restore trust through transparency and accountability. She also said there should be a willingness to engage the public in setting guidelines on the use of force and other policies.
“Citizen authority must be paramount,” Gastañaga said.
Other members of the community talked about run-ins with police where they believe officers went too far.
Phil Boughton, of Alexandria, said most officers are good, but a few “have way too much testosterone.” He then added, “I think they’re attack dogs.”
Jeff Stewart was a friend of John Geer and serves on the commission. He said that he remains guarded about the commission, but “It’s certainly the best avenue we have right now to address these problems.”
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova said the commission has already inspired changes in the police department.
“We’re seeing more transparency,” Bulova said. She added that the county is acknowledging that things went wrong with the handling of the Geer case, and more changes are needed.
The board’s chairman, Michael Hersman, said the members will examine police policies in the areas of use of force, communications, mental health training, police recruitment and officer vetting. Commission members also plan to look into independent oversight and investigations. Hersman hopes the commission is on track to provide its recommendations to the board of supervisors in October.
The next meeting will be June 22.
