DELAWARE.- The Law Enforcement Accountability Task force held its first on Thursday, August 6th. Trying to address issues with systemic racism, and issues of racial injustice and police brutality toward people of color. This is an issue states want to address and Delaware is taking additional steps to prevent racism in the police force, in the First State. Right now the group is working on dividing up into subcommittees. The task force wants to make sure all aspects of racism are touched on to try and come up with solutions. Rep. Franklin D. Cooke Jr., Chairman of Task Force said, "We need to dig in the root problem, identify solutions and make changes." The first meeting off to a quick start. Identifying main goals moving forward. "The General Assembly established the Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force in late June at the behest of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus to address longstanding issues of racial injustice and police brutality toward people of color. The issue reached national prominence with the May killing of George Floyd and other prominent deaths involving Black Americans, such as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery," sent in a release from the task force. This in part trying to get Delaware to a point where systemic racism is not even a concern for anyone. But many questions need to be answered first. Daryl Parson, the Co-Chair of Task Force said, "How should police and communities of color ideally interact? How are stereotypes broken? How are those lessons taught and how do those messages become statewide mantras for all communities?" A start means identifying four different sub committees to attack different issues head on. These committees include, use of force and imminent danger, workforce development, community policing and engagement, and transparency and accountability. Which Cooke thinks is the right way to address issues moving forward. Cooke said, "Because subcommittees work, I need, this is not a dog and pony show, this is work we're going to get down to the nitty gritty and get things done and everybody should be you know coming together, and looking for change." One thing members of the group brought up was wanting everyone's voices to be heard. Bringing in all members of the community, and stressing the importance the youth community will play. "I really want the young to really come out and give their reforms that they even as individuals, come out and lets hear their voices," Cooke said. The committee says all members will know which subcommittee they will serve on by the next week. The task force says you can submit questions or issues you want answered to the email
leotaskforce@delaware.govOnce recommendations have been made all will be passed on for the General Assembly to be reviewed and possibly enforced.