NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) -- The Nashville police Community Oversight Board did not wait for Mayor John Cooper’s new task force to recommend how to update Metro police use of force policies.
Mayor Cooper formed his task force two weeks ago as protests swelled in Nashville over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police. Cooper gave the panel 90 days to recommend changes.
The Metro Community Oversight Board has been asked to participate in the mayor’s task force deliberations. But during its monthly meeting last past week the Metro police oversight panel moved ahead with its own recommendations.
The board suggests a ban chokeholds, requiring officers to use de-escalation techniques, and banning officers from shooting at moving vehicles.
Board Chair Ashlee Davis says reforms are needed to “repairing trust and promoting policing that is rooted in community engagement and respect.”
Mayor Cooper has already ordered Metro Police to stop using chokeholds.
