In an effort to open more opportunities for people around the county to participate and share their views, the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Commision on Police Policies and Practices will hold its next public forum in the Mount Vernon area on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
The commission wants to hear thoughts, comments and questions from the community regarding policing in Fairfax County. This is an opportunity for residents to share their experiences and bring new insight and perspective to areas such as use of force, communications, mental health, diversity/recruitment/vetting, and citizen oversight. Community feedback and testimonies will help the commission shape new policy recommendations for the Fairfax County Police Department.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors launched the Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission in response to public concern over the shooting death of John Geer by a Fairfax County police officer. On Aug. 17, 2015, former Fairfax County Police officer Adam Torres was charged with the second-degree murder of Geer, who was shot dead in the doorway to his own own home on Aug. 29, 2013 after police were called in a domestic dispute. Torres was fired in July 2015, almost two years later.
The commission has been meeting since March as a full commission and five subcommittees. Areas of focus by committee include Use of Force; Communications; Mental Health; Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting; and Independent Investigations and Oversight. The commission is set to report findings and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20.
The forum on police policies and practices will be held Monday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m., Walt Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria.
For more information on the police commission, see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/