The sheriff of the Georgia county where 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley was killed last week was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who had multiple contacts with U.S. law enforcement, but once If you are elected to a public office where you have vowed not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their custody.
In 2020, John Williams ran for county sheriff as a sergeant with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. He spoke with Athens Politics Nerd about his vision for law enforcement in the region.
During the interview, Williams criticized ICE detainees, suggesting they create an unnecessary “culture of fear.”
“A lot of law enforcement is based on community support,” Williams said. “…building relationships is important. And if we’re holding people against people because they’re undocumented or undocumented, it’s about creating fear in people.” They are unlikely to come to us, not just when we need their help, but when they need our help. teeth. ”
For example, victims of domestic violence may be reluctant to come forward and report abuse if they think that an arrest could result in “jail, deportation, and breaking up families.” he said.
Ms Williams claimed there was no “intent” to cooperate with “these detainees” and no “intent” to carry out “roundups of any kind” or other police tactics that “further a culture of fear”. .
“Are there any circumstances where we would have to deport someone? Yes, but that’s not for the sheriff to decide,” he said.
You can read the full interview below. His discussion on ICE detainees begins around 7:25 p.m.
Throughout the interview, Williams hinted at a more flexible approach to law enforcement. He said he wants to train MPs in “emotional intelligence” so they don’t use any form of policing based on “bias.”
He also cited President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, suggesting that the task force has developed ideas to foster better relationships between police and residents.Final decision of the task force reportthe law, published in May 2015, encourages police forces to “consider comprehensively and holistically community-based approaches that address core issues such as poverty, education, and health and safety.”
Despite Williams’ concerns about potential police “bias”; bio The sheriff’s office website suggests he also harbors personal biases and is more interested in identity politics than law enforcement. In it, he claims that the “overwhelmingly white police” in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, “were often indifferent to the issues faced by majority and minority populations.” . This racial disparity led him to strive. ”To be a police officer who truly treats all people equally, regardless of their race, ethnicity, race, or other characteristics. citizenship” (emphasis added).
Mr. Williams did not respond to Blaze News’ request for comment.
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