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Residents urge council to convene coalition and training after police shooting; calls for de‑escalation and support for families
Summary
Several residents used items from the audience to urge Pocatello leaders to form a task force or coalition to improve police responses to people with disabilities and to provide community‑led de‑escalation training following a recent police shooting and subsequent decisions by prosecutors and state officials.
Multiple speakers at public comment on Sept. 4 urged the Pocatello City Council to create a community-led coalition to review police responses and to implement de-escalation training for officers, particularly when interacting with people with disabilities.
Sheena Goldsberry, speaking near the start of the public-comment period, said parents of disabled children remain fearful after a recent police incident involving a teenager she identified as Victor; she said officers' conduct left families worried and called for accountability. "Does the cops know how to deescalate the situation now on what happened with Victor?... Hold them accountable for their actions," Goldsberry said.
Dave Archuleta, identifying himself as a local resident, addressed the council later and proposed that the city coordinate with other jurisdictions to form a critical-incident task force. "Get with your counterparts in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Fort Hall, and let's set up a task force," Archuleta said. He offered to serve and urged a solution-focused approach of training and community engagement rather than continued public outrage.
Other commenters echoed requests for a citizens' commission including parents of people with disabilities, professionals who serve that population, and members of the police department to generate recommendations. One speaker asked the council to set aside litigation considerations initially and convene community leaders, police and clinicians to craft practices that reduce future tragedies.
Council members did not take formal action during the meeting on these public comments. Staff noted the council cannot act on items raised under "items from the audience" at the same meeting, and several speakers and council members discussed next steps and follow-up without establishing a formal task force on the record.
Speakers also warned of threats and safety concerns for public officials and law-enforcement staff; several asked for discussions aimed at preventing further harm and restoring community confidence.
Council members indicated they had received the comments and that staff and the police department had previously been contacted; several commenters urged the council to take proactive steps to convene stakeholders and begin trainings.
