WOODS CROSS, Utah – A large crowd gathered in front of the Woods Cross Police Department to call for accountability and stand in support of a 10-year-old boy who had a gun pointed at him.
The protest came just hours after the city announced Friday that it was calling on the Utah Department of Public Safety to conduct an independent investigation over the incident that happened last week during a search for two suspects involved in a chase where shots were reportedly fired.
MORE: Utah Will Conduct Review Of Claim Officer Pointed Gun At Child
“I have a fear that it is just more police officers investigating more police officers, and police tend to investigate themselves and find themselves innocent,” said Lex Scott of Black Lives Matter. “It’s a conflict of interest. It’s not okay.”
Several groups were represented during the protest, including Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
RIGHT NOW: Protestors outside Woods Cross Police Department, demonstrating in support of accountability in case of 10-year-old boy who had gun pulled on him by officer during suspect search last week @KSL5TV #KSLTV #Utah pic.twitter.com/3hMETXCWL0
— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) June 15, 2019
“It’s good that we have a protest like this that we could see all our white brethren and sisters with us and supporting us,” said demonstrator Oscar Ross, Jr.
Protestors also called for police reform in matters such as de-escalation training and less-than-lethal weapons.
Earlier in the day, the City of Woods Cross made public a letter to DPS asking for a look into any possible criminal conduct, as well as a review of issues such as potential violations of policies, possible racial bias or profiling, as well as whether there was any potential improper use of force.
“If you find other areas or issues you feel need to be addressed, please do so,” read the letter signed by Woods Cross Police Chief Chad Soffe. “The City’s goal is to be completely transparent on these facts and circumstances and to learn how it might improve its public service in the future.”
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