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SCPD must release name of officer who killed man suffering from mental illness

by Police the Police
The California Supreme Court ruled that police agencies must release the names of officers who kill citizens, but Santa Cruz Police are stalling the release of the name of their officer who killed a man this week and they are sending mixed messages to the public through the media.
sm_seansmitharlt.jpg
KSBW reported Santa Cruz Police refused to release the name of the officer who shot and killed Sean Smith-Arlt on Sunday because the officer is a "victim of a crime". There is no evidence the officer who killed Sean was the victim of a crime.

Sean was killed by police for threatening them with a garden rake, but he never got within ten feet of them, didn't touch them, and no injuries to anyone were reported, except for his.

Sean's family says Sean had mental illness and the true details of what happened aren't being told.

On the other hand, San Jose Mercury News reported the name of the officer will be released "to coincide with the independent investigation of the District Attorney’s Office". This could be months or years away.

Releasing the name of the officer who killed Sean is a matter of public safety. Was this officer properly trained?

What if someone else has had a bad experience with the officer in another context? Witnesses should be allowed to come forward.

The Sentinel is reporting the officer who killed Sean had two years of experience on the force and had received crisis-intervention training.

Santa Cruz citizens are not stupid. Four officers were hired two years ago by SCPD in 2014: Elizabeth Howard-Gibbon, Bernadette Erlach, Sarah Benjamin, and Dominique Hohmann.

Some citizens will figure out who killed Sean, if the newspapers and tv stations don't first.

And what about this group of officers hired in 2014? Should they be drawn into this speculation? Aren't they ALL being made suspects in a way?


INFORM YOURSELF:

* The SCPD also refused to release the name of the officer who shot Arlt, because the officer is a "victim of a crime," Martinez said. Read more:

Santa Cruz police knew Sean Arlt had mental illness, family says
http://www.ksbw.com/article/santa-cruz-police-knew-sean-arlt-had-mental-illness-family-says/6947949


* Police said Tuesday the officer who shot Arlt had about two years of experience and had received crisis-intervention training. Read more:

Editorial, Oct. 19, 2016: Questions remain on Santa Cruz police shooting of local man
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20161018/LOCAL1/161019481


* The identity of the officer who fired the two rounds will be released to coincide with the independent investigation of the District Attorney’s Office, Martinez said. Read more:

Santa Cruz father mourned after being shot by police
http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/19/family-of-slain-man-releases-statement-as-santa-cruz-police-provide-further-details/


* SCPD Graduates 4 New Officers From The Academy. Read more:
http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2014/09/scpd-graduates-4-new-officers-from.html


* Police agencies must reveal the names of officers involved in on-duty shootings unless there is specific evidence that disclosure would pose a safety threat, the California Supreme Court decided. Read more:

Police must ID officers in on-duty shootings, court rules
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-officer-names-20140530-story.html
§Santa Cruz Police Officers Association post on Facebook
by Police the Police
sm_seansmitharltsantacruzpoliceofficersassociation.jpg
The Santa Cruz Police Officers Association shares the news on social media that the name of the officer who killed Sean Arlt-Smith would be kept a secret.
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TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
Police the Police
Wed, Oct 26, 2016 3:14AM
SCPD Blues
Mon, Oct 24, 2016 6:15PM
Cop Watcher
Mon, Oct 24, 2016 2:16AM
Ghost Writer
Sun, Oct 23, 2016 11:50PM
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