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Black Ohio Cop, Lawmaker React To Recent Officer-Involved Shootings Of African-Americans

State of Ohio

An African-American Warrensville Heights police officer was so upset by Tuesday's fatal police shooting of a black man in Louisiana she posted a video of herself reacting to it, saying we should all be "held accountable for our actions." Nakia Jones says the shooting of Alton Sterling as he wrestled with two white police officers outside a convenience store "could have been handled differently." Jones says if police officers are prejudiced they should "take the uniform off." Meanwhile, the shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota have prompted a member of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus to say she will push her colleagues to take action when lawmakers return from summer break.  Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Democratic State Representative Alicia Reece says the Governor’s task force on community policing, which was set up 18 months ago, is not enough. She says lawmakers need to pass bills involving body cameras, grand jury reform, police transparency measures and more.

 

The General Assembly can no longer hide behind the task force because the people want action and they want action now and so there’s a disconnect between the Statehouse, as I tell people, and your house.”

 

Reece says she and other members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus plan to push for criminal justice reforms once the General Assembly comes back to work this fall.

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