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Justice System Committee

Read the Justice System Committee’s letter about potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act

On July 11, 2022, our Justice System Committee (JSC) sent a letter1 to Bellingham’s Mayor Fleetwood, Whatcom County Executive Sidhu, and What-Comm 911 Deputy Director Everbeck asking how they responded to a May 12, 2022 letter2 from the ACLU of Washington about potential violations of… Read More »Read the Justice System Committee’s letter about potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act

Register for Bellingham’s March 17 Police Chief Candidate Forum

The City of Bellingham announced it will hold a virtual forum on Thursday, March 17 at 5:30pm so the public can meet the semi-finalists for the Bellingham Chief of Police position. The candidates will give their introductions and answer pre-chosen questions from the community. Following the… Read More »Register for Bellingham’s March 17 Police Chief Candidate Forum

By January 31, tell Bellingham officials what you want in a Police Chief!

The City of Bellingham is asking for our feedback as they consider hiring the next Police Chief. Details about the position, community feedback opportunities, and candidate selection timeline are available at the Community Feedback About Police Chief Selection webpage.  The survey questions posed by the… Read More »By January 31, tell Bellingham officials what you want in a Police Chief!

Part 2b: Ferndale PD’s internal investigation sheds light on an imperfect process

If you missed Part 1 and 2, catch up by viewing them in our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series. In Part 2 of our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee identified… Read More »Part 2b: Ferndale PD’s internal investigation sheds light on an imperfect process

Part 2: Tracking Police Officer Complaints, a Justice System Committee series

If you missed Part 1, catch up by viewing it in our Learn Why We Believe Public Safety Reform is Necessary series. The Justice System Committee research shows that maintaining complaint records and conducting independent investigations are important steps for finding patterns in individual officers… Read More »Part 2: Tracking Police Officer Complaints, a Justice System Committee series

Join us October 13 for our New Police Reform Laws: Legislative Intent and Community Impact webinar

Live Webinar and Q&A via Zoom – October 13, 2021, 7:00-8:30pm Register Now Confusion and misinformation resulted when new police reform laws became effective in July.  This webinar aims to demystify the intent of the police reform legislation and its impact on local policies affecting… Read More »Join us October 13 for our New Police Reform Laws: Legislative Intent and Community Impact webinar

Learn why we believe public safety reform is necessary

For decades, people mistreated by police have called for reform that includes, at a minimum, holding officers accountable. Over the past year, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee (JSC) has supported these efforts by contacting government officials, advocating for improvements to police union contracts, and supporting… Read More »Learn why we believe public safety reform is necessary

Read our recommendations for improving local police union contracts

The Justice System Committee reviewed police union contracts up for negotiation. Bellingham, Blaine, and Lynden will negotiate police union contracts in fall 2021. Ferndale and Whatcom County contracts will renew in 2022. Learn about the minimum changes needed to ensure accountability to the public by reading… Read More »Read our recommendations for improving local police union contracts