After a mostly dismal 2020, we are more than ready for the new year. The devastating COVID-19 pandemic ruined this year for everyone. The virus killed more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and millions across the country have suffered in the economic shutdown that accompanied stay-at-home orders from public health officials and political leaders. It s apparent now that the attempt to bend the curve of infection rates failed the curve never did flatten as new cases are skyrocketing in California and the nation. But the end of the year brought good news that two vaccines were approved (others may be on the way) and essential workers began getting their shots. We re looking forward to later next year when the vaccines should be widely available; in the meantime, here are some other things we d like to see.
Ex-SFPD cop pleads not guilty to manslaughter in fatal shooting case
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of2
Police body camera footage showed rookie San Francisco police officer Christopher Samayoa fatally shooting unarmed carjacking suspect Keita O’Neil. Samayoa on Monday pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges in the case./ Courtesy San Francisco Police DepartmentShow MoreShow Less
2of2
San Francisco Police investigate an officer involved shooting at the intersection of Fitzgerald Avenue and Griffith Street on Friday, December 1, 2017 in San Francisco, Calif.Lea Suzuki / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
The former San Francisco police officer facing manslaughter charges in the fatal 2017 shooting of carjacking suspect Keita O’Neil pleaded not guilty Monday in a virtual appearance in San Francisco Superior Court.
(Sheraz Sadiq/KQED)
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin punctuated his first year in office by filing a series of criminal charges against current and former city police officers.
That should come as little surprise. Boudin, a former high-profile deputy public defender, campaigned as part of a progressive prosecutor movement and promised to charge cops who used excessive force.
The series of recent charges filed has nevertheless drawn criticism from San Francisco s police officers’ union and raised some concerns with the city s police chief.
In the past month alone, Boudin has filed charges against three current or former police officers. He also, however, declined to charge three other officers connected to two fatal shootings.
Should Police Officers Be Required To Obtain A College Degree
A new bill proposed in California would make it mandatory for new police officers to have a college degree or be at least 25 years of age to get the job.
2020 has seen a number of initiatives aimed at changing, restructuring, and/or completely defunding police departments across the country.
A new bill . AB-89 . being proposed by California Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer seeks to make all new officers either, A) earn a 4-year college degree or, B) be at least 25 years of age in order to get their badge. Jones-Sawyer says that the job is too complicated and demanding to give to people who have not yet fully developed themselves.