When Governor Tim Kaine announced his budget for the 2008-2010, VOP’s Racial Profiling Committee member Reverend Dr. Millard Boone III said, “We were disappointed to see that the Governor did not choose to include a Bias-Based Policing Coordinator in his biennial budget. However, we are hopeful that the General Assembly will still see fit to include this position in the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), especially given its widespread support around the Commonwealth.”

The Governor’s decision marked the end of a hard-fought effort by the Racial Profiling Committee to encourage Governor Kaine to dedicate more resources in this budget to fight bias-based policing. This effort brought together state organizations and leaders from communities of color in solidarity on the issue.

DCJS, which oversees law enforcement training in Virginia, has shared with VOP over the last two years its desire to better fight racial profiling. However, the state agency lacks the necessary resources to improve training and coordinate local/state efforts. Last year, Senator Ken Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) introduced an unsuccessful budget amendment during the 2007 legislative session for a DCJS Bias-Based Policing Coordinator. This year, VOP’s Racial Profiling Committee urged DCJS to include the coordinator position into its annual budget. However, when DCJS was making its decision on what to ask for, the Virginia budget picture was looking especially gloomy. DCJS did not recommend the position to the Governor.

VOP Racial Profiling Committee and staff members then prepared a sign-on letter to the Governor supporting the new position. Active outreach led to sign-ons by the Virginia Coalition for Latino Organizations, Virginia Muslim Political Action Committee, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Virginia ACLU, and several NAACP branches. The Northern Virginia Pan-Hellenic Council, whose mission is “to provide a united force and foster activities of Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities in the area” was new to the Campaign, but an enthusiastic supporter of the effort. Individuals also wrote letters, made phone calls, and sent e-mails to show their support.

This effort was part of the Racial Profiling Committee’s goal to show decision-makers that biased policing is not just a black-white problem. Many people, including communities of color, are affected in different ways by unfair targeting.

“Reaching out to our local and statewide allies, acting in solidarity with communities of color, and communicating clearly the need for reducing bias in policing are all essential elements in meeting our goal. Social change is often arduous work, and the Racial Profiling Committee is excited about joining forces with our allies in order to make change happen,” long-time Racial Profiling Committee member Kate McCord said.

For more information, contact Richael Faithful at faithful@virginia-organizing.org or (757) 784-6046.