To the Editor:

I commend the police for their dedication to help keep communities safe for all of us while risking their lives to do so. But, all organizations, no matter how noble, must be held accountable for their actions to help ensure top quality service at all times.

I read news account about Fairfax County police shooting unarmed citizens without disclosing supporting information about the incident and results of any investigation. And, there have been news report that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has awarded financial settlements to families that have sued because the police killed their loved ones. Secrecy by the police and the Board of Supervisors is unnecessarily divisive between the community and law enforcement and unfairly casts a shadow of doubt over our police. That can be easily corrected.

I read where independent citizens complaint review boards have been established in localities of the U.S. with excellent results for the citizens, those directly affected and the police. A win, win situation. The Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, Inc. had been asking the Board of Supervisors to establish and independent citizens complaint review board for several years without success although several supervisors support the concept.

The Board of Supervisors must revisit this issue and establish an independent, fair and impartial citizens complaint review board, whose members are appointed by the supervisors, and use the experience, expertise and results of those established in other locations to help in establishing a board that will be a winner for the police, those directly affected by questionable police actions and all citizens who look to the police to keep them safe. Also, such boards, effectively operated, should remove the cloud that exists over certain police killings in Fairfax County. Again a win, win for everyone.

Please call your supervisor and let him/her know that you support establishing a citizens complaint review board. You can call the Clerk to the Board at 703-324-3151 to obtain the phone number of your supervisor or leave you message with the Clerk for notice to your supervisor.

Frank Medico

Mount Vernon