We, the undersigned residents, community members, and concerned citizens, respectfully call upon the City of Keene to ensure a transparent, impartial, and meaningful review of serious allegations concerning interactions between the Keene Police Department and Keene resident Rebecca McNamara.

This petition does not ask the public to prejudge the conduct of any individual officer. It asks our local government to ensure that serious allegations involving the exercise of police authority are documented, investigated, and addressed through a process worthy of public confidence.

The allegations raised in this matter include concerns regarding Rebecca McNamara's attempts to report alleged misconduct and seek police assistance, the response of members of the Keene Police Department, and subsequent attempts to obtain review and accountability.

These allegations deserve an impartial examination of the available evidence, including relevant dispatch records, body-worn-camera recordings, reports, communications, and other contemporaneous records.

The Keene Police Department states that its mission includes assuring "fair and respectful treatment of everyone." Public confidence in that mission depends upon accountability when citizens raise serious concerns about police conduct.

WE THEREFORE CALL UPON THE CITY OF KEENE TO:

Ensure preservation of relevant evidence concerning the incidents and subsequent communications at issue, consistent with applicable law and record-retention requirements.

Ensure that Rebecca McNamara's allegations are formally received and appropriately reviewed through the applicable complaint and investigative processes.

Provide meaningful independent oversight of allegations involving members of the Keene Police Department where internal review alone could reasonably create concerns about impartiality.

Promote transparency regarding the process and outcome to the fullest extent permitted by New Hampshire law while protecting legitimately confidential information.

Ensure that citizens who report alleged police misconduct can do so without intimidation, retaliation, ridicule, or unnecessary obstruction.

Review whether existing Keene Police Department complaint and accountability procedures adequately protect the public and maintain community confidence.

OUR REQUEST IS SIMPLE:

Preserve the evidence. Investigate the facts. Provide meaningful oversight. Protect the right of citizens to seek accountability.

Supporting this petition does not require reaching a conclusion about disputed facts. It means supporting a fair process capable of determining those facts.

Public trust in law enforcement is strengthened—not weakened—when government institutions are willing to examine serious allegations openly, fairly, and impartially.

We respectfully ask Mayor Jay Kahn and Keene City Council to act.