As promised, AADM has compiled data on community perceptions of our Athens Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD). We collected answers to 8 questions in two different ways: paper and pencil at our Sept Town Hall meeting at ACC Library and in an online format over the last five weeks. We collected 83 responses, total.
Overall, perceptions of policing in our community are fairly positive (Q 1-5). However, when it comes to the way police may restrain children (Q6), we see an obvious divide among respondents. What can be said of Chief Freeman is that his open relationships with and his ability to remain receptive to black community leaders and activists were certainly refreshing.
In June, Freeman fired Officer Taylor Saulters, shortly after an internal affairs report indicated that he used his patrol car to stop Timmy Patton, a black Athenian with an outstanding warrant that chose to flee. The decision was unique
in that it came within days of the incident and that an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was still ongoing. Not to mention, Officer Saulters was the son of a longtime senior ACCPD officer. His willingness to reach out to Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement among others demonstrated the kind of across-the-aisle collaboration that is critical moving forward.
in that it came within days of the incident and that an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was still ongoing. Not to mention, Officer Saulters was the son of a longtime senior ACCPD officer. His willingness to reach out to Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement among others demonstrated the kind of across-the-aisle collaboration that is critical moving forward.
However, this decision, like many others, was derided by some. Certain community residents took to Facebook to express outrage and a GoFundMe was created for Saulters that resulted in more than $7,000 in donations. Within days of his termination, Saulters had a new job as a deputy at the Ogelthorpe County Sheriff’s Office. Less than two months later, Freeman surely satisfied some of those critics when he cleared an officer that slammed an emotionally distraught black child to the ground and pinned him during a domestic violence incident that resulted in the boy’s father arrested. Certainly, I was disappointed as many other activists were, but the reality is we live in a racist system that dehumanizes black and brown bodies as a rule and protects cops, mostly without exception.
Also, although many people indicated their agreement on suggested improvements in Q 7, a full 40% of respondents feel there are no issues or improvements needed. Finally, you can see in the final comments (Q 8) that 13 respondents took the time to push back (some very hard) on AADM, “thugs” or social justice issues.
We’ve work to do and we’re up to the task!
Click here to view the combined results.
(note: not all 29 answered all questions—some won’t total to 100%)
Citizens overall recommendations to improve relations between our police force and our community:
- Training needs increased, improved (dealing with children, implicit bias, racism)
- Criticism of how things are done (lack of convict reintegration, serving warrants)
- Make effort to reintegrate convicted people back into the community
- Would like to see studies, measures that address race and policing
- More training to interact with children
- More females and Black recruits
- More mental health positions needed
- Appreciate Scott Freeman immensely – his attitude, efforts to improve community policing
- Intentional, consistent training, acknowledging systemic racism (prejudice + power)
- Read Pedagogy of the Oppressed and White Fragility. Watch 13th (documentary)
- Plenty of community organizations and professionals in Athens could offer training for free
- Keep police more accountable
- Officers who violate human rights should be fired, without paid leave and should not be offered a position with another force.
What’s next? Sign our petition to help rally support our demands for a Restorative Justice Culture in Athens-Clarke County Police Department.