NAACP Harnesses Cell Phone Power and Launches New High Tech "Rapid Report System" to Help Citizens Report Police Misconduct -- Part of Sweeping New Civil Rights Initiative on Crime and Safety
An innovative national program to help fight crime in American cities and towns has been unveiled.
The initiative includes a bold new online effort, the NAACP Rapid Report System (RRS), a quick, effective way for citizens to report instances
of police misconduct, and to help public safety officials move beyond the “tough on crime” policies that have lost their effectiveness.
The Rapid Report System is available now, through the NAACP website (www.tunicacountynaacp.com). The user-friendly online RRS form will
allow residents to send instant texts, emails, or video reports of police abuse to the association via cell phone.
Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP, said the initiative is part of a wider Criminal Justice strategy called "Smart and Safe,”
that the NAACP will be launching during its Centennial Year.
“Nationwide, more than 26,000 citizen complaints of police officer use of force were filed with state and local law enforcement
agencies in 2002. However, because many incidents are not reported, this number does not capture the full magnitude of the problem,” Jealous said.
“Research has shown that there are many barriers to reporting incidents of police misconduct, including intimidation at police
departments and a lack of trust in the integrity of the system, among other reasons. This breakdown leads to an absence of public
safety and a deterioration of the quality of life in many communities of color. But public safety is a civil and a human right; and
so we want a more accurate count of these incidents,” Jealous said.
"We know that most of police officers around the nation are excellent public servants. But the few who violate people's rights
are often not held accountable. We hope to improve the relationship between our community and law enforcement officers -- which is
the best way to create the trust needed for police to effectively solve crimes," Jealous said.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members in the U.S. around the world
advocate for civil and human rights, conducting voter mobilization campaigns, and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.