By CHRIS COLLINS
(Greenfield, MA) — Could Greenfield be headed for a civilian police commission?
Greenfield City Council Vice President Otis Wheeler and Precinct 6 Councilor Sheila Gilmour both expressed support for the idea, which was broached numerous times during the public comment portion of Wednesday night’s council meeting by a number of residents, many of whom had only hours before had taken part in yet another Black Lives Matter protest on the Greenfield Town Common.
“I just want the people who spoke to know that I hear you,” Wheeler said. “I intend to bring this before the charter review committee.”
Gilmour, who is also a member of the charter review board, says there needs to be a conversation about police operations which goes far beyond simply de-funding the department.
“If someone breaks into my house, I want the police to respond,” Gllmour said. “But I don’t necessarily want to see them busting a 17-year-old black kid for smoking a joint the next day.”
Civilian police commissions have become popular in certain cities. They typically allow regular residents to have a hand in police hiring and promotions, as well as disciplinary powers. Greenfield currently has a Public Safety Commission which advises on police and fire department policy, but does not have a hands-on role in managing those departments.