Friend,

George Floyd's death halfway across the nation and the protests at our front door make it clear: we have to do more to reimagine public safety to create a truly safer city for all.

At a very minimum, I expect law enforcement to be willing to come around the table to focus on necessary public safety reform with the community. That's why, yesterday, I requested Chief Smith's resignation.

I have appointed Major William Jody Blackwell as Richmond Police Department's (RPD) Interim Chief of Police. Interim Chief Blackwell is willing and able to focus on necessary public safety reform, healing, and trust-building with the community.

But appointing new leadership is only one step of many on the path toward holistic reform. A civilian review board is a step forward. The Marcus Alert is a step forward. But there are more steps we must take.

Our approach to this shift in how our law enforcement serves our community can and must include substantive changes. That’s why I’m taking President Obama’s Mayor’s Pledge, a commitment to review and reform policies on the use of force. Though RPD already has a ban on chokeholds and a Duty to Intervene policy, we are creating the Richmond Task Force on Reimagining Public Safety to develop additional steps we can take, informed by community input and evidence-based practices.

The progress we make must be rooted in community buy-in. Whether you've been working behind the scenes or marching in the streets, I ask you to meet us where we are, and join us on the path forward.

Thank you,

Levar




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