Racial justice advocates and law enforcement leaders in the Iowa Quad Cities signed an agreement today that gives minority groups a voice in community policing.
The Davenport chapters of the NAACP and LULAC started meeting with Scott County police departments last June, when protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd rocked the nation. Now, the group has a name: The Iowa Quad Cities Law Enforcement Community Partnership.
Davenport NAACP President Michael Guster says it’s important for police and Black residents to communicate.
“We don’t always agree, but because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we’re going to quit talking. We’re going to continue to collaborate, we’re going to continue to have the discussion, we’re going to continue to do what is needed to look out for this community, and continue to build on what we have already.”
Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski says the group has already made progress, discussing chokeholds and the use of body cameras.
“We are certainly working on policing, but we’re working on large community issues that we’re having right here in Scott County. We’re working on violence. We have the opportunity to actually accomplish things and make a difference in our community.”
In their mission statement, the partners agreed to review current policies and recruit more people of color for the police and sheriff’s departments.
