The Dallas Police Department said Monday it will post online detailed information about every officer-involved shooting dating back to 2003.
It comes in the wake of criticism over 14 fatal officer-involved shootings so far in 2014.
The lack of thorough information about officer-involved shootings from Dallas police made it difficult to evaluate claims on both sides of the emotional debate.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said riots over police gunfire in Ferguson, Mo., highlight the importance of being transparent with police information.
“If you’re not providing information to the public you’re leaving conspiracy and rumors and gossip to rule the day, and we’re depending on the public’s support. And their trust is so fragile: difficult to earn and easy to lose,” Brown said.
Collette Flanagan, with Mothers Against Police Brutality, said she is not impressed with the new disclosure plan.
“I just think it’s a smoke screen,” she said. “Police brutality in Dallas is on the map.”
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Flanagan’s son, Clinton Allen, was killed in a 2013 Dallas police shooting.
“It’s a total shut-out process as they are investigated now. It’s one-sided. There’s no transparency, and it’s just a total mockery of the justice system,” she said.
Flanagan said posting more information could be an improvement, but that information about the officer’s disciplinary history should also be revealed.
Ron Pinkston, president of the Dallas Police Association, said the postings should include information about the suspect’s criminal history.
Brown said the information would explain actions taken and reasons why in each case.
Also Monday, Dallas police posted new crime statistics that show an overall decline in crime year-to-date through Sept. 30 of 13.73 percent. It is the 10th straight year of crime reduction in Dallas. Crime is down 47 percent compared with 10 years ago, according to DPD figures.
Brown said continued public support is necessary to continue crime reduction.
Responding to concerns about police shootings, Dallas is buying enough new Tasers to supply every street officer with the stun weapons as a deadly force alternative.
The city is also buying hundreds of additional shirt cameras to increase the chance video will record what officers see in tough situations.
“We don’t want to take for granted the public is supporting us. We want to do all we can to earn that support,” Brown said.
