NJ Shut it Down Circulates Petition Demanding Police transparency and accountability [from racists? don't hold your breath!]

NJ.com

A group of student activists is organizing a rally and march in Trenton on Friday to protest police brutality and the police-involved deaths that made headlines nationwide last year.

NJ Shut it Down, a coalition of students from colleges and schools across the state, is hosting the event, called #BlackOutTrenton.

A Change.org petition created by NJ Shut it Down to Gov. Chris Christie includes a list of demands the group says will meet the need for increased transparency and accountability in policing practices.

Organizer Zellie Imani said the petition is the next step to a number of demonstrations held throughout the state recently.

"We thought the next progressive step was to bring our demands in a petition," Imani said.

The demands include requiring a police report to be completed within 24 hours of an incident in which deadly force is used.

“Each officer involved and/or present at the time of the incident will be required to complete his or her own separate report regarding the incident with their accounts of the events,” the petition demands.

The petition suggests that any footage from police dashboard cameras, body cameras or surveillance video be made public within 48 hours of the incident. The petition also seeks to have the state adopt legislation requiring that a third-party prosecutor be elected for deadly police incidents.

“Through the immediate implementation of such legislation citizens will be provided increased transparency into police activity and accountability practices for police officers will be less susceptible to bias and corruption,” the petition reads. “Such legislation will additionally serve as a stepping stone in reducing tensions between citizens and police.”

The petition had garnered more than 1,800 signatures as of Wednesday evening.