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A Blue Wall of Silence
With NAACP representative Edythe Flemings Hall
Thursday, July 5, 2001; 11 a.m. EDT
Prince George's County police officers shot and killed people at rates that exceeded those of nearly any other large police force in the United States from 1990 through 2000. Almost half the people targeted by police were unarmed. Police officials declared all of the shootings justified but kept details about them secret.
Edythe Flemings Hall is the president of the Prince George's Chapter NAACP. She is also the executive director of National Neighbors, Inc., a non-profit civil right organization that promotes racial and cultural equality. Hall will address the issues discussed in the Post series.
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Hyattsville, MD.:
I find it horrific and shocking that no one
has been able to disclipline these officers and that the whole Prince George's police department is only concerned with clearing officers, no matter what happens. It seems as if they want to give the public an image of "it's better to be feared than respected."
I wonder how many more will die before someone acts on these inexcusable crimes where a badge and gun give you a license to kill. This would never happen in Rockville. My question is: what can an ordinary person do to fight this kind of injustice?
Edythe Flemings Hall: The police culture that allows these injustices is reinforced by the Police Officers Bill of Rights. The NAACP lobbied for reform in this legislation last general assembly. However, there was insufficient outrage from the general public to motivate legislators to seriously consider making the necessary changes to the law. We will be bringing this issue up again this fall. We need your support. Please e-mail the NAACP at PGNAACP@aol.com so that we can alert you to the issues and action alerts.
Waldorf, Md.:
Hello, my name is Paris Prince and my cousin Tyrone Antwan Harris was one of the 47 people killed by Prince George's County police. I would like to know what can young black men do to protect themselves from being murdered by police officers?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Mark Spencer in the States' Attorney's office provides workshops theough Churches and the NAACP on "How to Act in Police Encounters" his worksops help you to know your rights as well as understand the appropriate responses. Please contact the NAACP to arrange for a session in your community. PGNAACP@aol.com or 301 883-4941 ext. 8.
Upper Marlboro, Md.:
At the core, the problems with the Prince George's police force seem to stem from administrative tolerance of individual officers' rogue actions. Do you feel that race is a major factor in this issue? Clearly, both African-American and white people have suffered at the hands of trigger-happy police.
At the same time, most of the officers featured in The Post's stories are white officers. Do you feel that their acts are motivated in part by racism, or are they just generally aggressive, out-of-control individuals? What kind of men are these who are hired?
What percentage of the force is African-American?
Are there many instances of black officers being charged with brutality (besides the Jones case)?
P.S. I am a professional, white family man who built a house in the county, where I plan to reside permanently. I am genuinely curious if the acts of brutality are inspired by a brutal police culture, applied to all regardless of skin color, or have some other basis.
Edythe Flemings Hall: Race is always a factor in society. Whether it be fear of people based on unfounded beliefs or presumptions. But the statistics indicate Black Officers are as willing to use questionable force as whites. Therefore, the culture seems to rule the judgement of officers. Are there overly agressive white officers who take advantage of Blacks...Yes Yes Yes. But, I think it has more to do with power than prejudice. The hiring practices of the department have given rise to questions and reccommendations for reform from the police accountability task force. We are waiting to hear from the department and the county executive on the action taken bas3ed on the 58 reccommendations.
Germantown, Md.:
How would you feel if a Prince George's County Officer pulled you over whether you felt he was justified or not? Would you be concerned for your safety? I would suggest that you should be.
Edythe Flemings Hall: All police officers are not the same. However, the bad one make it hard for the lawful officers. Good officers are as much in need of protection as citizens. We are truly all in this together.
Clinton, Md.:
Why do our so-called leaders (elected officials) allow the police to get away with murder? I have read the series and I am very dissapointed at the lack of either the Maryland state or U.S. governments concern for it's citizens. I live in Prince George's County, we cannot trust the police at all.
The department needs to be taken over and the entire court system of Prince George's County needs to be investigated for civil rights violations, Jack Johnson should resign right now along with every county prosecutor and every judge should be forced to retire without pay. We can elect someone that cares about the people because the status quo is not acceptable. Pringe George's citizens need to stand up and fight back. This sucks. You should not be surprised at any new animosity toward the Prince George's County police or the court. I have lost any respect that I might have had for the county police and court. They cannot be trusted.
What is a black man in Prince George's County supposed to do when approched by the police? It seems as if we should be policing them instead of the other way around.
Edythe Flemings Hall: Elected leaders act in response to the will of the people. With exception of a few lone voices (Jack Johnson, NAACP, coalition for police accountability) Most Prince Georgians have not demanded much in the way of reforms. We can not expect others to do for us what we will not do for ourselves. Poor people need middle-class people to speak up for them. However, middle-class people are slow to action. If we take more proactive measures and demand accountability. We will get it. The NAACP called for intervention from the Justice Department 12 months ago because there was a need for outside intervention. The rest is up to us. Remember people don't do what you expect, they do what you inspect. No matter who the leader we must hold them accountable.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Ms. Hall,
Do you think that the equal protection of the laws is being afforded to minority citizens of Prince George's County?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Equal protection is indivisible from economic power. If you have financial resources you can guarantee equal protection. Without it, you get what's left. Public defenders who must serve more individuals than they can realistically see. Resulting in plea bargins on offenses that paid legal defense could possibly exonerate. Minorities are endangered by the legal system.
Washington, D.C.:
I'm a prospective home-buyer who will NOT shop in Prince George's County due to their deplorable police force -- they're just scary. My husband and a friend who grew up in Prince George's County said they've each been stopped a minimum of 20 times over their lifetime by Prince George's cops -- and neither one has a criminal record. My suggestion: Stop calling for task forces and investigative reports. The NAACP should call on all Prince George's County residents to get out their camcorders every time they get in a car to be ready to videotape the racial profiling that occurs and to put police on notice that since they won't monitor themselves the residents will. The NAACP could make this a county-wide campaign. No one deserves to have their civil rights abused to the level that Prince George's County cops allow to occur. I fear for my new husband's life everytime he goes into Prince George's County -- due to your police force, and that's just sad. So what tangible action will the NAACP take?
Edythe Flemings Hall: The NAACP lobbied successfully last year to place video cameras on police car to the tune of $500,000. There are approximately 150-200 cars currently equipped. The remainder have yet to be installed. Citizens could help the NAACP by calling on the local district commanders to report on the number of camera cars in their communities and how they are being used. The cameras will deter much unlawful action and can utilized in a way that tampering can be easily detected. Let's hold the department accountable for providing independent documentation of police stops and citizen interaction.
Mitchellville, Md.:
You have previously indicated that you support the present chief of police. Has the recent report in The Post as well as ongoing disclosures regarding the police department caused you to change your position? If so, when did you change your position and what specifically caused you to change your position?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Two years ago, I attempted to develop a relationship with Chief Farrell that would allow for the community and the department to work together to address many of the complaints the NAACP was receiving from citizens. Over the past two years we have made some strides. However, the Chief does not appear to be able or willing to disclose information needed to get to the bottom of some issues. Therefore, we must rely on other means to get to the bottom of issues and change conditions. It is unfortunate we were unable to address these violations within our community/department. However, now with the facts known and the Justice Department overseeing the situation. I am confident we can expect change.
Fort Washington, Md.:
The NAACP remains the only body in the county the certain segments of the community will come to with complaints against the police. Therefore, there must have a database of a significant number of these complainants. Will you, with the individual complainant's permission, of course, share this information with Justice Department investigators? What is your general opinion of the Justice Department's pattern and practice investigation of the Prince George's County police department?
Edythe Flemings Hall: The NAACP has turned over our complaint data to the Justice Depart. That is how we were able to expand the investigation from canine units to the entire department.
Jean R. Dolet, Bowie, Md.:
We, Prince Georgians, not only need a civilain review board with subpoena power to monitor and prosecute criminal cops, we also want the chief to step down. One noticed in The Post's series that the chief, in many instances, used shrewd double talk to excuse his criminal cops from their bestial acts. We have a death squad operating in the county, and we are not living in Central America. As Elridge Cleaver one said, "You're eithe part of the problem or part of the solution," and the chief is indubitably part of the problem. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once bluntly said, "It's always the right time to do what's right." Now the time is right to do what's right by telling Chief Farrell Adios!
What do you think?
Edythe Flemings Hall: It's easy to lay the blame on one person and chop off his head. But, will that change the police culture. There are always individuals behind the throne who control the issues. I have no problem with new leadership. But, I do not want to spend another 2-5 years in a learning curve while the problem simply goes underground. We need legislative reform. Punishment of offenders, and sufficent deterrants for future infractions.
Greenbelt, Md.:
What can we as general citizens do to help force the issue of change within police departments and political offices? We tend to expect and demand action from various offices but don't take the issues seriously enough to follow through on them with our own blood, sweat and tears. Demonstrations? Mass e-mailing to department heads? What?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Send e-mail addresses to the NAACP at PGNAACP@aol.com. We will keep you informed of future action campaigns. Lobby your elected officials for changes in LEOBOR. For details contact NAACP at 9301) 883-4941 ext 8. Join the NAACP Community Safety Committee for direct action.
Silver Spring MD:
If Prince George's County Government was white-dominated, a police force like this would have led to a tremendous hue and cry with marches and demonstrations-rightfully so.
Yet the abuses have instead existed among an almost deafening silence.
I also note that Amnesty International has pointed out the Detroit Police force as extremely brutal -- again in a black-dominated system, again no outcry.
Is there a double standard here?
Edythe Flemings Hall: I think you have touched on the issue of the century. Have Blacks assimilated to such a degree that we have lost our commitment to fight injustice? This is something we are watching in middle-class neighborhoods all across America. Are we caught between the need to support black leadership and advocate for the poor? I think we will come face to face with more issues like this as we gain greater control of our own futures.
Bethesda, MD:
I grew up in Prince George's County (25 years), specifically Fort Washington, and am now moving back into the county after almost a decade of living in Montgomery County neighborhoods to be closer to my job.
In looking over the responses you've gotten so far, it is clear that Prince George's County needs to radically change public perception in order to stimulate housing, infrastructure and work opportunities, which could draw more people like me back into the county.
However, with the recent articles grabbing front-page headlines, who can blame people from shying away from coming into the county, for work, play or to live? Especially people of color.
Another response asked if race may have been a motivating factor in the Prince George's police's trigger-happy record. Of course it is. Demographics show us that the majority of the population in Prince George's are African American. The whole situation screams of racial profiling and extreme leniance for an undisciplined police force.
Can anything be done, whether in the County legislature or in the Prince George's Police Chief's office to ensure safer streets for our children from these gun-toting (supposed) law enforcers? What plans does the NAACP have in this regard--as a facilitator or voice of the people?
Edythe Flemings Hall: The NAACP will not turn back on these issues until we have brought about reform. We were willing to stand on these issues when it was unpopular.....and now that others have joined the ranks I believe we will see reform sooner than later.
Fort Washington, MD:
It has been said repeatedly that Prince George's County residents are complacent. I believe that most residents simply are unaware of what action should be taken. What can "Prince Georgians" do to have an impact on the current system?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Become active in local organizations addressing these issues.
Upper Marlboro, Md.:
Good morning,
I find the statements of the police chief shocking and an embarrassment. Yes, we know that the majority of officers do an incredible job under very difficult circumstances. But, when will we put the focus and spotlight on the rogue officers who bring the entire force and county down. Is it possible to have the police force taken over by the Justice Department/FBI or another agency since the local force can't seem to make the necessary fix?
Edythe Flemings Hall: The Justice Department will intervene when they complete their investigation. There responses could range from legal proceedings to consent decrees. We'll keep you posted.
Stockbridge, Ga.:
How can so many people die at the hand of cops and people don't fight back? I am having trouble believing this story here in the USA. Julius Johnson
Edythe Flemings Hall: Over the past two years the explanations given by police officials has consistently reinforced their own behavior. It wasn't until outside forces began to review these incidents that we were able to convince the department that we had a problem.
Arlington, VA:
Prince George's County is one headed by black elected officials. What are they saying about these murders. It is plain to see that something is terribly wrong here. If this situation was occuring in the South there would be protests and other acts of civil disobedience. Is this a case of civil rights organizations giving a pass because they don't want to embarrass black elected officials?
Edythe Flemings Hall: Many elected officials in Prince George's County remember when times were so bad you dare not even talk about it. Since, electing Black Leadership many prople felt things have really improved and did not want to suggest nothing has changed. However, I am certain our elected officials were unaware of the depth of the current problem. The NAACP took this on in response to cries for help from citizens. This issues is now on everyone's front burner. I am confident we will all focus on solutions from now on.
washingtonpost.com:
That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online:
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