To: Fairfax County Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay, Supervisor Daniel T. Storck, Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk; Mayor Justin M. Wilson, City of Alexandria; Chairman Libby Garvey, Arlington
As you know, on Monday, June 1, 2020, the United States Park Police (USPP) used tear gas on citizens at Lafayette Square who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights prior to any curfew. While clearing the crowd, they also assaulted a journalist who was taking video of the event. The next day, they issued a public statement denying the use of teargas. This was later contradicted by WUSA 9 who found a teargas canister which caused USPP public relations officer, Sgt. Eduardo Delgado to acknowledge the use of teargas who was then contradicted by Acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan.
The day before, on May 31, 2020 a recent West Potomac H.S. graduate and area resident, Michael Cunningham, was killed in a single car accident on the George Washington Memorial Parkway near the Mount Vernon Estate where two other individuals were injured. As of this writing, we do not believe a statement has ever been issued by the USPP about the fatal accident. One reporter we are aware of made an inquiry and received a two-sentence response which did not even identify the victim.
On Sept. 13, 2019, a different fatal accident occurred about half a mile further north near the Stratford Landing interchange on the Parkway. As of today, the USPP still has not released the name of the driver who was killed.
Finally, we are all aware of the situation involving Bijan Ghaisar who was shot 10 times including 4 times in the head about two blocks from my house on Nov. 17, 2017. Mr. Ghaisar was unarmed, a victim of a minor traffic accident, and it has been confirmed that his pursuit and the shooting violated numerous USPP policies. Very little explanation has been given about that incident.
The USPP public statements seem to be driven more by political considerations and self-interest rather than building public trust. The Department also appears to operate under a set of principles which are wholly inconsistent with the traditions, restrictions, oversight and transparency that the citizens of Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria expect of law enforcement. There seems to be very little training, oversight or control of its officers. The USPP transparency practices are non-existent. While the USPP operates under the oversight of federal authorities, they do have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County Police which also shares jurisdiction with the Parkway.
We are aware that Arlington County withdrew its officers after the Lafayette Square incident and are currently reviewing their MOU. However, we would ask that your jurisdictions terminate your memoranda of understanding with the USPP until your local police chief has certified the following:
• That all USPP officers have completed diversity training;
• That all USPP officers have completed de-escalation training;
• That the USPP has a functional disciplinary process that is substantially similar and either equal to or more rigorous than those in use in our local departments;
• That the USPP has adopted policies requiring transparency practices public incidents that are as robust or more robust than currently utilized by your departments.
• Devise and implement team approaches to de-escalation and restraint situations that stress appropriate roles to insure that someone is focused on speaking up if policy and procedure are not being followed, to prevent over reaction and potential criminal conduct.
Your MOUs are the only leverage we have to effect change on these issues and the only measures that we can utilize to ensure that the rights and safety of our area residents is being maintained in a fair fashion.
Thank you for considering this request.
Senator Scott A. Surovell, 36th District
Delegate Paul E. Krizek, 44th District
Senator J. Chapman Petersen, 34th District
Senator David W. Marsden, 37th District
Senator Barbara A. Favola, 31st District
Senator Adam P. Ebbin, 30th District
Senator Jennifer B. Boysko, 33rd District
Delegate Patrick A. Hope, 47th District
Delegate Kathy KL Tran, 42nd District
Delegate Kaye Kory, 38th District
Delegate Vivian E. Watts, 39th District
Delegate Mark H. Levine, 45th District