More than two months after Miami Valley protesters joined the nation demanding change after George Floyd was killed in police custody, News Center 7 presented a comprehensive community conversation on the status of police and racial justice reforms.
Team 7 coverage from News Center 7′s I-Team reporter Jim Otte in Columbus and Washington D.C. correspondent Blair Miller showed how both local and national legislative reform efforts have stalled.
As Ohio advocates are pushing for law changes, including an officer discipline database, Otte reported how House Speaker Larry Householder’s arrest and ongoing FBI investigation could delay progress.
> Ohio Police Reforms Could Stall At The Statehouse
Miller reported from D.C. on disagreements between Democrat and Republican bill versions have all but stopped progress.
> Demand For Change: Stalled Federal police reforms show no signs of progressing
In a News Center 7 exclusive, Mike Campbell talked with the father of John Crawford III, an African American man a Beavercreek officer shot and killed in 2014. Nearly six years after his son’s death, John Crawford Jr. told Campbell the change his family wants is better officer training.
African Americans, who also work in law enforcement, can find themselves in the middle of the demand for change debate. Three veteran black officers, Montgomery County Chief Deputy Sheriff Daryl Wilson, Dayton Assistant Police Chief Eric Henderson and 20 year Dayton Police Officer Leatha Savage shared their perspectives with News Center 7′s Cheryl McHenry, as McHenry examined why there are so few people of color on area forces.
> 3 veteran Black officers’ perspectives: minority recruiting challenges
As the demand for change movement progressed, local leaders began to emerge. The special presentation concluded with News Center 7 Ronnell Hunt. Hunt spent the last couple of months meeting these emerging leaders, learning what social justice, community, and economic changes they are working toward. And how the late Congressman John Lewis’ life work inspired many to take action.
> Demand For Change: John Lewis inspires emerging leaders
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