This petition is to bring attention to and establish the intent to move to make the seven community-decided demands implemented, effective immediately.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:30 PM, the City of Wilmington planned to approve a budget of $35 million of the community’s tax dollars for policing (especially towards riot control funding, policing vehicles and other unnecessary spending). The seven demands, to which the community has decided upon, include the re-allocation of $5 million towards restorative justice and community-led interventions, a Citizen’s Review Board (from hereon “CRB”) with subpoena and budget-approval power, required mental health support regimen, resilience training and emergency assistance programs (referred to from here on out as “EAP”), requirement of cultural competency and training of local history, the mandatory use and activation of body cams, de-prioritizing misdemeanor drug offenses, and instate Chief Donnie Williams as the permanent Chief of Police. 

The Seven Demands for the Wilmington Police Department:

5 million dollars re-allocated for restorative justice and community-led interventions:  There needs to be better interventions that exist for mental illness, misdemeanor substance use offenses, and issues stemming from unstable housing. We can re-allocate funding to address and solve root causes rather than temporarily "fixing" issues while creating an unjust cycle of of policing and incarceration in our vulnerable community. 

A Citizen’s Review Board with subpoena and budget approval power needs to be created: In a democratic society, citizens should hold power over those who enforce the power. Our community should be a city that continuously strives for more accountability and integrates the democratic process into every aspect of our culture. Individuals serving on the board will possess the competency to oversee policing with the appropriate knowledge and responsibility.

There needs to be required mental health regimen/resilience training and anonymous access to Emergency Assistance Program: Mental and emotional health should be a primary fixture in policing and a complete psychological evaluation should be done before hiring any officer. Officers should have access to an EAP without having to request services through their command officer or even having them notified that such assistance was requested. Greater and more dignified accessibility to support will improve the stability and stamina of our officers and make our city a  safer place to live.

Require cultural competency and an in-depth education of local history: Unconscious bias determines human judgement and influences our interactions with the people around us. When these biases fail to be addressed, it often means the difference between life and death for individuals in vulnerable communities. Cultural nuances exist in all of our neighborhoods. Committing to learning these nuances will ensure the success of officers as well as our community.

Mandatory use and activation of body cams: While recording police interactions is not a complete solution, monitoring and reviewing the actions of police personal is an important step towards transparency and accountability. Body and dashboard cameras should be required and should be accompanied by mandatory policies. In the event of an incident or suspected misconduct, data must be made immediately available to the Citizen’s Review Board.

De-prioritize misdemeanor substance use offenses: Our nation and our community have been devastated by the opioid crisis. It's clear we cannot arrest our way out of a public health situation. We demand that Wilmington Police Department de-prioritize all misdemeanor substance use offenses. Alternatives such as treatment, community restitution, harm reduction, and restorative justice are more effective and cost effective.

Instate Chief Donnie Williams as permanent Chief of Police: Chief Williams is a native Wilmingtonian and former resident of the city's Northside. He has displayed great competence in a climate of social uncertainty during his time as Interim Chief and he possesses the trust and the respect of his officers as well as our community’s trust.

Call to Action: Email the city council at council@wilmingtonnc.gov and call (910) 341-7815 with these demands listed.