New Hampshire law enforcement leaders discuss reform efforts as state honors Martin Luther King Jr. - WMUR Manchester
CONCORD, N.H. —
As New Hampshire celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a look at the reform efforts is still underway to make the state's police forces more transparent and accountable.
Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave made New Hampshire history when he took office a year ago.
He said it wouldn't have been possible without Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the civil rights movement.
“This would've never happened if Dr. King didn't do some of the things he did. Progress is hard, it's new, but obviously, from Dr. King's days, it works. We wouldn't be where we are today as African-Americans, as minorities, without people like him,” Brave said.
Brave said he's prioritized community outreach and issues like mental health in his first year, but when it comes to the bigger picture of law enforcement reform and racial justice, he knows it's a gradual process.
"Nationally, obviously it's not happening fast enough because you turn the TV on any day and you see – the narrative continues," Brave said. "All we can worry about is what we can do in New Hampshire and hopefully the national level reaches out to us here and we can tell them what we're doing right here in New Hampshire."
At the statehouse in Concord, legislation is coming forward to create a revamped statewide police oversight body to handle complaints of misconduct with more transparency.
While lawmakers still have to hammer out the details, assistant commissioner of safety Eddie Edwards said the end result should be greater public accountability.
Edwards said he’s confident that it will happen while working with the legislature.
For Edwards, who is playing a key role in reform efforts at the state level, the legacy of King hits close to home.
“Growing up in Georgia, his church was right there in the city of Atlanta. So, when I reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King's work, one of the things I think about is one of his famous quotes – the time is always right to do the right thing,” Edwards said.
source: https://www.wmur.com/article/law-enforcement-reform-efforts-mlk-new-hampshire-1-17-22/38796310
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