Use Of Force Forum Postponed After Calls For More Public Input

A law enforcement forum on use of force that was set to take place in Duluth on Friday was postponed. The announcement came after communities of color said the event lacked transparency and public input.

The Duluth Police Department planned to host the event with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Police Department. In a statement, the Duluth NAACP branch asked authorities to postpone the forum to “create a more authentic and well-directed community dialogue about the use of force and its impacts on communities of color.”

Kym Young with the Superior African Heritage Community commends law enforcement for organizing an event on use of force. But, she said they should’ve sought more input during the planning process.

“You can’t just throw people together in a room and think, ‘Ok, now we’re going to hash it out. It has to be an intentionally safe space created. It has to be an intentional agenda that’s not just going to focus on one side of the issue, such as police brutality,” she said. “But, we need to look at things that lead up to police brutality, things that affect the community before, during and after a use of force. We need to have that community input in the planning to make sure that all sides are given an opportunity.”

Young said the event should’ve considered the trauma that communities of color have experienced with authorities and police over the years. She said it also seemed to seek approval for police use of force.

Superior Police Chief Nick Alexander said he hoped the forum would provide more understanding about police practices on use of force. Alexander said he thought it would be a good opportunity to hear from communities of color about their experiences with law enforcement and what police could do better.

“It does point out the difficulties that exist between policing and communities of color and really for any group that has distrust of the police,” he said. “I do believe, and certainly others can have an opposing view, but my belief was that this was a sincere attempt to have an event, to have an honest discussion, back and forth, where there’s criticism and uncomfortable moments to gain some understanding and hopefully build relationships and make progress towards building trust and safer communities.”

The Duluth Police Department said in a release that 100 community members were invited to attend the forum, including representatives of the NAACP, Clayton Jackson McGhee Memorial and American Indian Community Housing Organization. Duluth Police said they’ve invited groups to help plan the event moving forward.