Citizens, Duluth Police Unite After Ferguson Decision

DULUTH - The grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, was over Tuesday, but the conversation was just beginning across the country and in the Northland when it comes to race, police officers and incidents of use-of-force. The decision not to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown has fueled demonstrations across the country -- some peaceful and some as dangerous riots. In Duluth, demonstrations were peaceful and police took center stage to help continue the conversation as one community and not a divided community."Let's stick together,” said racial and social chance leader, Archie Davis. “Let's make this change." What’s happening in Ferguson has triggered a nationwide conversation on how to build trust between community members and police. "How can we make these changes take place in our world without losing any more of our people?" Davis asked.It's a question minority groups are asking: "How do we make change?""Let's not just make noise, let's make a difference," said Doug Bowen-Bailey, with the Duluth Citizen Review Board. Just 24 hours after the decision in Ferguson, Duluth police and the Review Board gave community members the floor to ask questions about the likelihood of a police shooting happening here."I think there are definitely concerns that something like this -- an officer-involved shooting like this -- could happen both on the part of the Duluth Police Department and on the part of community members," said Bowen-Bailey. Though not as severe, the Twin Ports has had its own cases of what some would call racially fueled police brutality."We don't want no more Superior incidents. We don't want no more incidents here in Duluth," said Davis. In 2012, former Duluth Police Officer Richard Jouppi was the center of police brutality accusations for repeatedly punching a wheelchair-bound man after that man struck Jouppi in the face with his hands.After a trial, Jouppi was acquitted of all charges. But Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay chose to terminate Jouppi from the force because he felt Jouppi's actions were excessive and against department policy.In January, dash-cam video unveiled Superior Police Officer George Gothner punching Natasha Lancour. After a state investigation, no charges were filed because Lancour resisted arrest.  But as punishment within the department, Gothner faced a 10-hour suspension without pay. For many, it's the local cases that make the case in Ferguson hit home the most."We continue to see violence with law enforcement and our young black African American heritage, Native Americans throughout the country," Davis said. As said by President Barack Obama, this is not a Ferguson problem but an American problem, and the Twin Ports is no exception."So today is the day we start the change for Americans," Davis proclaimed. The Citizen Review Board says building the relationships and trust between police and members of the community is the first step in making a difference.For more information on the Duluth Citizen Review Board, click here.