Date: 01/13/2025

 

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We, the undersigned citizens of Knoxville, Tennessee, are writing to express our profound concern regarding the recent tragic events involving the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the Rodger D. Wilson Detention Facility. We call for immediate action to enhance oversight and transparency within our local law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and the safety of our community members.

 

On January 3, 2025, the community was devastated by the death of 18-year-old Daevon Montez Saint-Germain, a promising high school student, who was killed during a search warrant executed by Sheriff deputies. Just five days later, on January 8, 2025, we mourned the loss of David Batts, who was brutally beaten to death by deputies at the Rodger D. Wilson Detention Facility. These incidents, as well as numerous incidents in the past have raised serious questions about the practices and accountability of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

 

We respectfully request the following:

 

1. Police advisory and review committee : Establish a Police advisory and review committee to review the actions and protocols of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the Rodger D. Wilson Detention Facility. This committee should include community members, legal experts, and mental health professionals to ensure a diverse perspective.

 

2. Public Reporting: Implement regular public reporting of incidents involving the use of force, deaths in custody, and other critical incidents. This transparency is essential for building trust within the community.

 

3. Training and Protocol Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of the training and protocols for Sheriff deputies, particularly regarding the handling of search warrants, interactions with minors, and mental health crisis situations.

4. Body Cameras for All Officers: Equip all Knox County Sheriff’s Department officers, across every department, with body cameras. Also we would like for there to be repercussions for officers whose body camera is not active during interactions with community members.This measure will enhance accountability and provide a clear record of interactions between law enforcement and the community.

5. Community Engagement: Foster ongoing dialogue between the Sheriff’s Department and the community to address concerns, share information, and build a collaborative approach to public safety.

 

6. Policy Reforms: Review and reform policies that may contribute to a culture of violence or lack of accountability within the Sheriff’s Department and the Detention Facility.

 

We believe that the lives of Daevon Montez Saint-Germain and David Batts must not be in vain. It is imperative that we take decisive action to prevent further tragedies and to restore faith in our law enforcement systems.