During a recent city council meeting, a local resident addressed two pressing issues: the establishment of a financial crimes division within the Richmond Police Department (RPD) and concerns regarding the violation of First Amendment rights.

The speaker emphasized the need for RPD to investigate financial crimes, such as nonprofit embezzlement, to ensure justice for victims. They proposed the creation of an ordinance mandating the formation of a financial crimes unit staffed with qualified professionals, including Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and forensic accountants. The resident criticized Police Chief Rick Edwards, who reportedly earns over $216,000 annually, for failing to adequately address financial crime investigations, stating, \"I don't feel that we are getting what we are paying for.\"

In addition to the call for improved financial crime investigations, the speaker raised alarms about potential violations of their First Amendment rights by city council members. They warned that such violations could expose the city to civil rights lawsuits under 42 USC 1983, highlighting a growing trend of citizens across the United States successfully suing for similar grievances.

The meeting underscored the community's demand for accountability and the protection of constitutional rights, signaling a need for the city council to address these critical issues.