We, the undersigned residents of Redding and Shasta County, submit this petition to express our profound concern regarding the conduct displayed in the publicly released body-camera footage of the arrest of Mr. Maher.

The video depicts actions that appear to include:

• Repeated takedowns of an individual who was already restrained or otherwise compliant,
• A forceful slamming of a handcuffed person to the ground,
• Resulting injuries reportedly to include broken ribs, and
• Derogatory, homophobic, and transphobic remarks made toward the arrestee — including comments mocking gender identity or expression.

Such conduct raises serious questions regarding excessive force, bias-motivated policing, and potential violations of state and federal civil rights protections.

 
LEGAL FRAMEWORK THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO EXPECT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW

1. California Penal Code § 422.6: Prohibits using force or threats of force against a person based on their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other protected characteristics.
2. California Government Code § 11135: Bars state-funded entities — including municipal police departments — from engaging in discriminatory practices based on sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
3. 18 U.S.C. § 242 (Federal Civil Rights Statute): Makes it unlawful for anyone acting under color of law to willfully deprive an individual of their constitutional rights. Excessive force and discriminatory policing fall directly under this federal standard.

The actions and language documented in the video appear inconsistent with these legal obligations and have deeply shaken public trust.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREFORE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

1. Immediate Administrative Accountability: Immediate suspension without pay for all officers involved, pending a full investigation.
2. An independent, external investigation conducted by an agency outside Shasta County to ensure neutrality and public confidence, such as: The California Department of Justice, Civil Rights Enforcement Section, The California Attorney General’s Office, or The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.
3. A Hate-Motivation Review: A formal determination as to whether the officer’s comments and conduct constitute a bias-motivated use of force under state and federal law.
4. Full transparency, including public release of: all body-camera footage and any supplementary video, use-of-force reports, internal memos, or reviews related to the incident. Transparency is vital to restoring confidence in our law-enforcement institutions.
5. Department-Wide Training Reforms, including mandatory retraining for all RPD officers on: De-escalation and proportional use of force, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, and bias-free policing requirements outlined in California Penal Code § 13519.41. 
6. A Public Statement From the Chief of Police: An explicit acknowledgment of the seriousness of this incident and a reaffirmation that discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation has no place in the Redding Police Department.

 
WHY THIS MATTERS TO OUR COMMUNITY

The vast majority of Redding residents — LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+, conservative and progressive alike — want a community grounded in safety, dignity, fairness, and accountability. We cannot build that future without ensuring that all residents are treated equally under the law.

When an incident of this magnitude damages public trust, it is the responsibility of our institutions to take decisive corrective action. We believe that policing must reflect the values of the community it serves — not fear, prejudice, or unchecked authority.

 
OUR CALL TO ACTION

We urge Chief Barner and the Redding Police Department to act swiftly, transparently, and decisively. The people of Redding and Shasta County are watching. Our community deserves policing that protects civil rights, not policing that undermines them.

If those sworn to protect us cannot uphold our rights, then we, the public, must hold them accountable. History is watching. Our silence would make us complicit — our signatures make us courageous.