Police chief addresses policing, societal issues
Dixon police Chief Robert Thompson advised this week of receiving myriad emails regarding important topics.
Dixon police Chief Robert Thompson advised this week of receiving myriad emails regarding important topics “facing our profession, and indeed our society.”
For the community’s benefit, he posted the concerns and his response on the department’s Facebook page.
“Transparency and accountability are central tenets of the Dixon Police Department, and the trust of our community is something we hold very sacred,” he explained.
The email writer asked that the department “reflect the moral priorities and values of the public that you serve” and that staff”do your part in the effort to cease racist law enforcement practices and protect our Black and Brown communities.”
The writer called on Thompson to:
• Terminate law enforcement officers who shoot unarmed community members.
The Dixon Police Department, the chief responded, is part of the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force, an inter-agency investigative body supervised by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. This task force is also the primary investigative body which investigates officer-involved fatal incidents, he said, and should such an incident occur in Dixon, no Dixon police personnel will participate in the criminal investigation.
• Institute rigorous body camera protocols for all engagement with members of the public, and apply strict discipline for noncompliance.
Officers have worn body cameras for many years the chief said, and have an audit program in place where recordings are randomly reviewed by supervisors and the content evaluated against department polices and procedures.
• Ban chokeholds. “Chokeholds” is a broad term, Thompson said, but AB1196 already prohibits the use of the carotid restraint technique and other neck restraint techniques. The Dixon Police Department complies with the law.
• Ban the hiring of officers with histories of misconduct.
Applicants for consideration for any position with the department must pa ss a rigorous and through background c he c k , he said, which is audited annually by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Ban the purchasing of surplus military equipment.
The department does not use or obtain surplus military equipment, the chief said.
• Ban the use of pepper spray and rubber bullets for crowd dispersion.
The department, as part of the Solano County Mobile Field Force, complies with all laws and regulations regarding the deployment and use of crowd control devices, including pepper spray and rubber bullets, Thompson said.
• Cease law enforcement practices that criminalize the unhoused.
The department, he explained, does not engage in any practices which criminalize the simple act of homelessness.
• Cease drug possession enforcement.
“This would be irresponsible and inconsistent with our mission,” the chief said. “When we can, and as often as we can, the Dixon Police Department works to divert people to programs designed to provide rehabilitation and support. Law enforcement is very different from law creation, and changes to the laws need to be directed to the legislature.”
In closing, Thompson offered a final message.
“The Dixon Police Department believes the laws work best when they are applied fairly, without passion or prejudice. Our job as a public safety agency is as simple as our motto, service and protection,” he stated. “The residents and guests to our community demand and deserve our very best in serving them. The men and women of the Dixon Police Department are committed to providing that service in an open, honest and transparent manner.
“The national narrative around policing in America presents a challenge and an opportunity to have a real, meaningful dialogue. Not just about policing, but about the broader issues affecting America. We look forward to taking part in those discussions, and adapting to serve our community.”
Visit the department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DixonPoliceDept for a complete look at the chief’s responses, which were edited here due to space constraints.