We intend to take a really thorough deep dive and see if there's some systemic issues here that have to be addressed. And as a result of that, we're hiring a diversity inclusion officer for the city, and we're hiring a police monitor who will come in and look at all our training procedures, all our processes.Īnd then as a result of this shooting, we are going to hire a panel of experts who will look at de-escalation, use of force and training for our officers. After we had a racial issue - not a shooting but an issue with our police department - a year and a half ago, we created a race and cultural task force. PRICE: You know, I think it's hard to quantify that, whether there is or isn't. And if there is a larger problem, how do you define it? And because of the questions of race, because of other questions about police shootings, it does make me wonder if you think there is a larger issue here. But as you know very well, there have been two - in your part of Texas - two instances in which white police officers shot African Americans and killed them inside their own homes. You have said the shooting was not justified - that the officer, based on the video, seems not to have followed his training, seems not to have identified himself properly. INSKEEP: Mayor, I want to ask about something else. And they understand this is a tragic situation. They're heartbroken that a community of officers that the city respects and trusts, that one bad act can destroy that trust in the community. Not - the officers that I've talked to are as equally horrified as the rest of us and saddened. It does make me wonder, though - do you hear any pushback from, down the ranks in police, people who feel that they're being unfairly targeted here? INSKEEP: We should note that the police chief, rather than defending the officer, has already apologized to Ms.
And again, he didn't identify himself as a police officer. PRICE: You know, again, even the bodycam footage is hard to see exactly what that officer saw. INSKEEP: What went through your mind as you effectively follow along with that officer looking in the open door, moving around to the dark side of the house, and then something happens and he shoots in the window? PRICE: Yes, I've seen the one that's been released. INSKEEP: Did you watch the video that has been released by the police. But the - my understanding is that, certainly, he should have identified himself as a police officer. Obviously, none of us were on the scene except the officer and his partner. PRICE: You know, that would be my assumption.
They should have done more than they did before that officer shouted a few words and then opened fire. INSKEEP: So they should have moved a little more slowly, maybe said a few words, identified themselves. And with the exception of SWAT, they rarely shoot directly into a house because they can't see what's inside. It was an unsecure structure call, and they didn't identify themselves as police. I mean, nothing that was done here goes with the training our officers receive.
INSKEEP: You have said already that you believe this shooting was not justified. She was in her home when the officer responding to a call about a door left open shot her through a window. Betsy Price joins us after a Fort Worth police officer was charged with murder in the death of Atatiana Jefferson. The mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, is on the line this morning.
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