Y’all, it made news today (h/t @ExpressNews & @emilieeaton) that the SAPD Officer that fed a shit sandwich to a man who was homeless & spread a “brown tapioca-like substance” on the toilet seat of a women’s bathroom stall at the SAPD Bike Patrol Office lost his 2nd appeal. (1/2)

He got TWO appeals! And he has the option for a 3rd as part of a contract provision. There is a system in place that gives Officer Shit Sandwich appeal after appeal while Black folks beg to be able to breathe. This is the conversation today. (2/3)

SAPD’s mission statement is “to improve the quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people we serve. We act with integrity to reduce fear and crime while treating all with respect, compassion, & fairness.
We absolutely must do better.” (3/4)

And if this is the department’s mission statement, those who work in that department must actively serve that mission. That seems not only a logical request, but an urgent one. Accountability starts with transparency. (4/5)

There are City budget conversations happening now. Tell them how YOU define “public safety.” Show them how they can reallocate funds to create “partnerships.” #satx (xx)

Coming back in to add a thread to a thread because @ExpressNews / @bchasnoff offered up a more detailed look at the arbitration process in today’s paper. These are actual excuses given by arbitrators for blatant racism by SAPD officers.

To see these officers as merely isolated players with bad behaviors is to dismiss the very system that enables their behaviors in the first place. We can and we must do better by our community.