5,000 signatures reached
To: President Joe Biden
President Biden - Immediately fire Ramona Dohman, US Marshal for the District of Minnesota
The U.S. Marshal Service, acting under the North Star Taskforce, brutally killed Winston Smith, a Black father, and comedian, on June 3, 2021 in Minneapolis. Details surrounding Smith’s killing have been scant, and according to law enforcement officials, no body camera footage or dash camera footage is available. Attorneys for the eye witness, who was in the vehicle with Smith at the time he was ambushed by the police, says she never saw a gun on Smith or inside the vehicle. This is unacceptable. We are calling upon President Biden to act decisively to overhaul the U.S. Marshal Service to ensure transparency and accountability. Thus, we demand the following:
1) Immediately fire Ramona Dohman, the United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota.
Dohman’s failure to finalize policy that would have allowed body cameras to be worn while serving on the task force that killed Winston Smith is the latest in a series of failures that have caused ongoing harm and trauma in the communities she was sworn to protect and serve. Dohman also failed to provide proper oversight of the U.S. Marshals and has allowed them to operate as “glorified cowboys” with little to no accountability for their actions.
2) Overhaul the U.S. Marshal policies to increase transparency and accountability including adding a robust system of discipline, strong oversight of the use of body-worn cameras, increased and thorough training on de-escalation, and curtailing the use of violent and deadly force.
Adding a robust system of discipline: this system must include public oversight and consistent discipline to send the message to the U.S. Marshals that policy violations and the use of deadly force will not be tolerated.
Strong oversight of body-worn camera usage: Mandating activated body cameras during all arrests and in search and seizure situations. Administration and use of body cameras need strong oversight to ensure proper archiving and public release of footage in cases of severe injury and death within 24 hours.
Increased and thorough training: Confrontation is inherent to law enforcement, therefore training must inherently contain an abundance of de-escalation training. Humanity is the foundation of change. Aggressive, violent policing including the use of “vehicle containment” needs to be replaced with communication skills, mental health crisis response training, and non-lethal apprehension tactics.
Curtailing the use of force: Reduce the types of circumstances under which the use of deadly force can be used, including the elimination of the deadly practice of shooting into vehicles of alleged suspects.
3) Conduct an independent federal investigation into the killing of Winston Smith.
1) Immediately fire Ramona Dohman, the United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota.
Dohman’s failure to finalize policy that would have allowed body cameras to be worn while serving on the task force that killed Winston Smith is the latest in a series of failures that have caused ongoing harm and trauma in the communities she was sworn to protect and serve. Dohman also failed to provide proper oversight of the U.S. Marshals and has allowed them to operate as “glorified cowboys” with little to no accountability for their actions.
2) Overhaul the U.S. Marshal policies to increase transparency and accountability including adding a robust system of discipline, strong oversight of the use of body-worn cameras, increased and thorough training on de-escalation, and curtailing the use of violent and deadly force.
Adding a robust system of discipline: this system must include public oversight and consistent discipline to send the message to the U.S. Marshals that policy violations and the use of deadly force will not be tolerated.
Strong oversight of body-worn camera usage: Mandating activated body cameras during all arrests and in search and seizure situations. Administration and use of body cameras need strong oversight to ensure proper archiving and public release of footage in cases of severe injury and death within 24 hours.
Increased and thorough training: Confrontation is inherent to law enforcement, therefore training must inherently contain an abundance of de-escalation training. Humanity is the foundation of change. Aggressive, violent policing including the use of “vehicle containment” needs to be replaced with communication skills, mental health crisis response training, and non-lethal apprehension tactics.
Curtailing the use of force: Reduce the types of circumstances under which the use of deadly force can be used, including the elimination of the deadly practice of shooting into vehicles of alleged suspects.
3) Conduct an independent federal investigation into the killing of Winston Smith.
Why is this important?
State and local agencies have shown a pattern of their inability to conduct thorough, transparent investigations into killings by law enforcement. Conflicts of interest throughout leadership within the U.S. Marshal Task Force, North Star Fugitive Task Force and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ensure justice cannot be served, unless an independent federal investigation occurs.
President Biden and his Administration have the power to make all of these changes now. He does not need to wait for anyone else. He has the power. The world is watching Minneapolis. We must lead by demanding change, starting today.
President Biden and his Administration have the power to make all of these changes now. He does not need to wait for anyone else. He has the power. The world is watching Minneapolis. We must lead by demanding change, starting today.