BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department is pleased to announce the formation of a partnership with California State University Bakersfield’s Kegley Institute of Ethics and the CSUB Center for Social Justice in order to constructively respond to calls for the examination of policing and improvement in our community.
BPD Chief Greg Terry has established a working group that is in the process of organizing a diverse community panel for a six-month review and evaluation of local, regional, and national recommendations for police policy and practice reform.
The primary goals of this project will be to learn all that the Bakersfield Police Department has done to implement 21st Century policing practices, to specifically address local and national concerns regarding race, bias, police brutality, and to provide public written recommendations to the Bakersfield Police Department for improvement.
Chief Terry’s initial working group include:
- Dr. Michael Burroughs, CSUB and Kegley Institute of Ethics
- Ms. NaTesha Johnson, MPA, Upside Academy
- Dr. Mark Martinez, CSUB Center for Social Justice
- Mr. Traco Matthews, MBA,
Kern County Superintendent of Schools Discussions are ongoing regarding other community leaders who will take on key leadership positions within the larger community panel and in this effort.
Chief Terry stated, “Recent events have been difficult for us all, but they have brought certain critical issues about law enforcement and the community we serve to the forefront. It is also an opportunity for all of us to look inward and focus our strengths to support ethical and constructive police-community relationships. We look forward to working with a diverse and experienced group of local leaders to meet this challenge.”
