PERF -  Police Professionals Want to 
Hear  from You in Person
by Sean Van Leeuwen
Sean
Van Leeuwen
In the United States, we don't accept new ideas, policy, or legislation by fiat. Instead, whether it be debates between candidates for elected office, a discussion about proposed legislation or an initiative put before voters, ideas are vetted before being enacted.
 
However, there is one group which proposes a massive change (and in our opinion, for the worse) in American policing.  As I have written in several blogs , The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) seeks to change policing in America in a way that has been roundly criticized by Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and rank-and-file law enforcement.  The policies they proposed were not subjected to vetting; in fact, as attorney and former police officer Missy O'Linn wrote , no dissenting views were allowed when PERF was forming its policies.
 
PERF has gained traction for its ideas by peddling them to police executives and politicians.  However, there is one audience that PERF has no time for---the rank-and-file law enforcement on whom they would impose their ideas. On April 11, 2016 , we sent a letter to PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler to come to Los Angeles and subject his proposals to a debate/discussion before both law enforcement leaders and the rank-and-file.  Mr. Wexler's response: "Thank you for your letter of April 11, 2016.  I wanted to make sure you saw the attached report.  In many ways, this report is what I would say if I could come to California.  I look forward to meeting you someday and do appreciate your interest in the matter."
 
Well, Mr. Wexler, my fellow deputies and I, as well as thousands of officers across the country, don't just have "an interest in the matter" as you put it in your reply to me.  Your proposals significantly impact our ability to do our job, to do it safely, and to protect the public.  Ours is not a passing "interest," it is a matter of great concern and made more so by your efforts to enact these drastic changes through politicians and the media.  Referring me to your "report" which I have already read is insulting; I know what PERF wrote and I and thousands of others in law enforcement want to see PERF justify its proposals before an audience that completely understands the nature of policing in America.

It's not that you can't come to California, Mr. Wexler, it is that you don't want to. I believe you don't want to defend PERF's ideas before seasoned law enforcement professionals who will have legitimate questions and concerns about them. Instead, just as you did an end run on dissent by not allowing contrary opinions to be heard when PERF drafted its proposals on use of force, you are now attempting an end run on dissent by law enforcement by seeking federal legislation that would impose your ideas on every department in this country.

Rather than discuss PERF's ideas with the people who would be directly affected, PERF would rather spend its time selling their ideas on use of force to politicians, reporters, editorial boards-and now Congress. This week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wis)   introduced a bill mandating that all police departments in the United States adopt several of PERF's "principles."  Mr. Wexler, it is very telling that you could spare time to talk to a reporter, trumpeting, "This bill ... is at the heart of what we've been suggesting: that police training has to change," but not spare any time to come to Los Angeles to discuss PERF's ideas with officers and deputies.
 
Congress needs to know, and we join organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police in stating, that your ideas are dangerous and unproven. We are more than willing to have a spirited debate on your ideas-why aren't you?
 
If you feel uncomfortable debating PERF's ideas with those who have "been there, done that," I encourage you to send one of the law enforcement professionals PERF lists on its website.  For example, Chief J. Scott Thomson of the Camden County Police Department is listed as President of the Board of Directors, stating he has been in law enforcement since 1992.  So how about it, Mr. Wexler? We will be happy to schedule a visit with Chief Thomson in Los Angeles to discuss PERF's "principles" any time before Congress takes its summer recess. 
 
Rest assured, Mr. Wexler, that while you can silence debate on your ideas within your organization, you can't silence the rank-and-file law enforcement within this country.  If you truly believe your ideas are "best practices," why are you unwilling to engage in a debate about them?
 

Sean Van Leeuwen is Vice President of Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. ALADS is the collective bargaining agent and represents more than 8,200 deputy sheriffs and district attorney investigators working in Los Angeles County.  Sean can be at [email protected].

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