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Community groups bring 1,333-signature petition and demand sheriff's-office transparency after two recent in-custody deaths
Summary
Speakers representing families and community organizations presented a 1,333-signature petition calling for independent oversight, mandatory body cameras, public reporting and policy reforms after two recent deaths; commissioners scheduled a February public workshop with sheriff's office and community stakeholders to discuss transparency and protocol questions.
Members of the public called on the Knox County Commission on Jan. 27 to demand independent oversight and transparency from the Knox County Sheriff's Office following two recent deaths in county custody.
Constance Every, Wanda Stacy, Heather Baylor and other speakers addressed the commission during the open public forum. Imani Shula of Community Defense of East Tennessee asked commissioners to mandate body-worn cameras for all officers, preserve footage and remove blind spots in the Rogers d Wilson detention facility. Rashaad Woods said a petition initiated Jan. 13 had collected 1,333 signatures pressing the county for immediate reform and accountability.
"We call for immediate action to enhance oversight and transparency within the law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and the safety of our community members," a representative read from the petition. Speakers pointed to the deaths of 18-year-old Devon Montez Saint Germain (Jan. 3, 2025) and David Batts (Jan. 7, 2025) and asked the commission to withhold funding or otherwise use budget leverage to press for release of body-camera footage and independent reviews.
Commissioner Rawls and others acknowledged the community's requests and proposed a public workshop in February that would include the sheriff's office, legal staff and community representatives to address specific questions: the number and availability of body cameras, whether SWAT and undercover officers record, policies for preserving footage and family notification protocols. The motion for a public workshop was put forward as new business and staff were asked to coordinate scheduling.
Next steps: Commissioners said they would work with the sheriff's office to set a February working meeting and provide information requested by community members in advance where legally permissible.
