November 10, 2008
Mr. John Rutherford, Sheriff
Duval County/City of Jacksonville
501 E. Bay Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Dear Sheriff Rutherford;

As I mentioned to you during our last meeting in your office; when I find something that I believe needs to be addressed, I would contact you personally. I now have a major concern.

As you know, MAD DADS continues to work to improve relations between JSO and members of the African American Community. To date, we have made several positive strides in selected hard-to-reach, high crime neighborhoods. Our “Breaking the Code of Silence” efforts have been somewhat successful in that calls to crime stoppers has increased over the past 2 to 3 years, as well as citizen cooperation with JSO investigations.

What troubles us is the number and frequency of police involved shootings leading to citizen deaths. By way of illustration, we are all aware of the police involved shootings in other cities often compared to Jacksonville:

Jacksonville: 27; Miami: 10; Charlotte: 8; Orlando: 8; Louisville: 7;
Nashville: 7; Tampa: 5; Indianapolis: 2. (Times Union Newspaper)

We are sensitive to the issues facing law enforcement officers today! We also acknowledge, these shootings were most likely justified, given the attitudes and viciousness of the criminals operating within neighborhoods across the city. Never-the-less, we must ask you, as the chief law enforcement officer in Duval County, to ensure that all officers use restraint! Deadly force must be used as a last resort or when officer’s lives are, without question, being threatened. We realize that this may be the current policy however; based on the current situation everything possible must be done to reassure the general public. MAD DADS have received calls from citizens asking for someone to do something! This is alarming and signals a potential problem with police/community relations throughout the city.

MAD DADS makes the following requests:

• We respectfully request an open review of all current investigations and findings related to all 27 shootings.  Perhaps FDLE or the Justice Department should assist to add oversight and creditability.
• That you review the current policies and on-going training requirements for all officers.
• And finally, consider an ongoing citizen advisory council that would work with you on a monthly basis to make suggestions and stand as liaisons between the department and the community.

Both Don and I stand ready to assist you and the department as needed.  Once again, thank you for your consideration.

Eddie F. Staton
Vice President