The Beth Israel Social Action Committee is pleased to invite the Chair of the Ann Arbor Police Oversight Commission, Lisa Jackson, Ph.D., to speak to the Congregation on Sunday, January 24, at 6 pm. This event is open to all interested via Zoom. (Click here for the Zoom link. Please note that a password is required. Email office@bethisrael-aa.org for the password or register below.)

As Dr. Jackson explains:

After an AAPD officer-involved shooting in Ann Arbor in 2014, citizen activism led the Ann Arbor City Council to convene the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) in March 2019. Since then, ICPOC has been engaged in reviewing complaints against police officers, but equally importantly, working to evaluate, write and revise AAPD and city policies with regard to public safety. This process involves asking difficult questions and digging into areas that are often uncomfortable and thus, only works with the support of the community.

Dr. Jackson will discuss the challenges, but also opportunities, that come with citizen oversight in Ann Arbor.  For more information on the types of challenges involved, please click here to read this New York times article from December 22, 2020 titled "How Cities Lost Control of Police Discipline."

Dr. Jackson provided insightful analysis of the issues facing our new Police Oversight Commission when she spoke to the Social Action Committee last month. Please join us on Sunday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m. to help us build community support that Dr. Jackson and the ICPOC need to make our community one that better safeguards the lives and welfare of all of our brothers and sisters. This talk is part of Beth Israel's efforts to educate ourselves to meet the challenge of Pirkei Avot 2:21:

Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Please register below.