Athens, Ga — The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) urges all allies, concerned citizens, and community leaders to campaign for Athens Clarke County Government to establish a Citizens Policing Advisory board. AADM members are deeply disturbed by the $250,000 settlement granted to former Athens-Clarke County police officer Taylor Saulters on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 by a majority vote of ACC commission. As elected officials, the votes of Allison Wright, Russell Edwards, Ovita Thornton, Mike Hamby, and Melissa Link went against the wishes of many Athenians and emboldened the worst instincts of cops that refuse to prioritize black lives.

In June 2018, Saulters blatantly used excessive force in his apprehension of Timmy Patmon during the execution of an arrest warrant for a probation violation when he hit Patmon with his patrol vehicle as he attempted to flee the scene. AADM commended Scott Freeman’s decision to fire Saulters then and still does today. The latest ACC commission-approved settlement is a slap in the face to both Patmon and his family who received substantially less for his pain and suffering. In addition, Saulters once again is accused of hitting another pedestrian with his vehicle while on duty in Oglethorpe County and a notice of intent to file a lawsuit was issued by the victim’s attorney.

In a statement released by Mayor Kelly Girtz, he acknowledged that the decision was made “in order to avoid prolonging the pain and expense of litigation”. But the pain of injustice is very real. For too many Black Athenians, the value of their lives is only considered as a matter of convenience and not as a matter of fact.

For this reason, AADM request the creation of a Citizens Police Advisory Board because transparency, accountability, and fair policing are necessary and the voices of victims are more important than a settlement. By establishing a CPAB everyone will have a seat at the table especially those who are impacted the most these issues. We see such a process and any resulting Citizens Board(s), as focused not just on responding to possible police misconduct, but also as actively promoting ways to increase the trust, transparency, and relations necessary to ensure a safe community for all members of Athens-Clarke County.

Examples:

Cleveland Ohio: www.ocjs.ohio.gov/ohiocollaborative

Seattle: www.seattle.gov/boards-and-commissions

Austin Texas: www.austintexas.gov/department/police-monitor-citizen-review-panel  

Join AADM in advocating for a citizens advisory by filling out the form below: