Fresno Mayor Presents Independent Police Auditor Proposal

Pressure for police accountability in Fresno increased after three police officers in the narcotics division were arrested in a car theft operation last month. The entire narcotics division was shut down. Demands for an IPA increased after video of a Fresno police officer beating a homeless man was shown nationally. Yesterday there was an officer involved shooting - the fourth this year.

The photo above shows Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, Mayor Ashley Swearengin, and Assistant City Manager Bruce Rudd. Below is the complete and uncut audio from the Press Conference held on 3-10-2009 where the IPA proposal was presented. The press conference is 27:07 minutes. Following that is an interview I conducted, after the Press Conference, with Ellie Bluestein, a member of the Central California Criminal Justice Committee who has been working for years to bring an Independent Police Auditor to Fresno. Following that interview is a .pdf of the IPA proposal.

Mayor Swearengin said she will continue listening to community feedback on the proposal and that it is possible to make changes before it is presented to the City Council on March 24.