Residents demand independent review, civilian oversight after March police use-of-force; council pledges follow-up

Dozens of Lancaster residents urged city officials on March 25 to pursue independent oversight and transparency after a March 2 police use-of-force incident involving minors, saying the department's initial response and a subsequent press conference undermined trust.

Community speakers demanded an independent review, public access to past and present use-of-force records, and establishment of a civilian review board with real authority. "The department can't police itself," one speaker said, urging an outside review of the March 2 incident and of "all past and future use of force reports." Another warned, "We will not stop until justice is served."

The calls came during the council's public-comment periods. Jontell Tolan, who identified herself from the First and Only block of Wyzev, described the treatment of the children as "unjustifiable" and criticized the city's refusal to release body-camera footage. Tolan and other speakers said the department's public statements appeared to shift blame to the community and the young people involved.

Abby Haney, co-chair of Lancaster Democratic Socialists of America, called the police's March 18 press conference "an attempt to deflect blame" and reiterated a demand to "establish a public safety commission or have a plan in place for a civilian review board." John Maina and Darryl Legasse echoed calls for a council process that produces less rhetorical support for police and more accountability.

Mayor Sarachi acknowledged residents' demands but emphasized constraints on what the city can achieve unilaterally. The mayor said certain oversight mechanisms are limited by external systems and legal constraints and that some demands cannot be satisfied immediately through council action. She said Chief Mendez would be asked to attend the public-safety committee to brief council on training, use-of-force protocols and related questions.

Council members responded to public concerns in different ways. Councilor Diaz said she supports greater transparency and encouraged the police bureau to publicly release use-of-force records. Councilor Bennett and others said they hear the broken trust and urged continued engagement; several council members said they want more data and historical reporting to show progress and patterns.

Speakers pressed for specific steps: expedited access to body-camera footage, unredacted use-of-force reports, administrative action against named officers and a standing civilian oversight body. Council members agreed to pursue additional reporting and to have Chief Mendez and the public-safety committee provide an update at a future meeting in April.

The meeting produced no formal disciplinary actions or policy adoptions; community members left requesting concrete timelines and an independent investigative path.

The issue remained active at the meeting's close, with residents promising continuing advocacy and council members acknowledging the need for more reporting and a clearer public process.