DMPD Needs to Act Now

We believe that in our communities everyone - no matter our race, neighborhood, background, ability, or genders - deserves to feel safe in their homes and community, and free to exist without the threat of discrimination or violence.

That's why we need immediate and meaningful action by the Des Moines City Council to hold police officers accountable for their actions.

Despite over four years of meetings about racial profiling and police brutality in our community, the DMPD continues to target people of color and exact violence on the people who make this city what we call home.

We know this because of videos like this. This video, released last week by Just Voices, shows Des Moines Police assaulting what appears to be an innocent bystander. The video is part of a clear, ongoing pattern of abusive tactics and misconduct that are a part of DMPD's failed and dangerous system of public safety.

We know there are more videos. And with no meaningful changes from Mayor Frank Cownie and the city council, the Des Moines Police Department’s toxic culture will continue to persist.

Enough is enough. Not only do Des Moines city leaders need to fully implement the ordinance they passed in the summer of 2020, they MUST do more to ensure our capital city is welcoming of all people who want to call this place home. We need bold action now.

Today we held a press conference at our office calling on the Des Moines City Council and City Manager Scott Sanders to:

·       Conduct a 3rd party investigation into the DMPD

·       Create an independent Community Review Board to take complaints of police profiling and misconduct.

·       Fire Police Chief Dana Wingert. Accountability starts at the top and he has failed to hold his officers accountable for acts of violence against our residents, and allowed this culture to exist

Join us in this call by sending an email to members of the Des Moines City Council and City Manager Scott Sanders today using this link.

Now is the opportunity for political and moral courage from everyone, because when we come together we have the power to change this.