4 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY,JULY9,2003
PUBLIC SAFETY
Douglas County ACLU to hold open discussion
By Ehren Meditz
emeditz@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Douglas County American Civil Liberties Union will hold a public meeting tomorrow about Lawrence residents' relationships with the city's police officers.
Mary Davidson, president of the Douglas County ACLU and former University of Kansas lecturer in English, said the Lawrence Police Department was "generally very good." But, she said the county chapter had received complaints about some officers and heard grievances concerning profiling, harassment and failure to protect.
"We think adolescent males of all races are likely to be profiled while driving," Davidson said. "We were told of a Chinese-American student who was stopped three times in one week."
Speakers from different backgrounds will discuss personal experiences with
"I think, on average, students would be treated worse than your typical upstanding citizens."
David Burress National ACLU board member
police. An open discussion follows where attendees can ask the panel questions.
David Burress, national ACLU board member and associate scientist at the University of Kansas' Policy Research Center, recommended students attend the event.
In the majority of cases police conduct was not problematic, but when it was, items like age, economic status and ethnicity factored in, he said.
"I think, on average, students would be treated worse than your typical upstanding citizens," Burress said.
John Frydman, Lawrence attorney, said he has dealt with many complaints from
The Douglas County American Civil Liberties Union's public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow, in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium.
PUBLIC MEETING
Be polite and respectful. Never badmouth a police officer.
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS
Stay calm and in control of your words, emotions and body language.
Don't get into an argument with the police. Anything you say or do can be used against you.
Keep your hands where the police can see them.
Don't run. Don't touch any police officer.
Don't resist even if you believe you are innocent.
Don't complain on the scene or tell the
students about the Lawrence Police,but that was typical for any police force.
He said those complaints ranged from the minor, such as handcuffs being too tight, to claims of profiling and harassment.
He said most people did not know that
police they're wrong or that you're going to file a complaint.
Do not make any statements regarding the incident.
Frydman spoke at last year's Douglas County ACLU meeting about citizen's rights when dealing with the police.
Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest.
Remember officers' badge and patrol card numbers.
If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first.
If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.
For more information on dealing with police officers, go to the American Civil Liberties Union's web site at www.aclu.org.
Source:Douglas County American Civil Liberties Union
they did not have to consent to searches without a warrant.
The Douglas County ACLU printed orange cards outlining the rights of citizens and how to act when pulled over, stopped for questioning or arrested. The cards are available at the meeting or on the door of Burress' office at 415 Blake Hall.
— Edited by Annie Bernethy
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