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Sheriff Plummer told this news organization he reached out and thanked the mayor for her support and willingness to assist in putting together an oversight committee.
Earlier this month, Plummer said his Improving Modern Police and Community Trust (IMPACT) committee has been discussing a civilian jail review initiative over the past two months.
Plummer made these comments during a press conference in which he criticized the county commission's decision to ask the U.S. Justice Department for a federal probe into potential civil rights abuses at the jail.
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Whaley said community partners should appoint the group’s members to ensure it is independent and autonomous. She also said transparency is key.
“I saw when the sheriff called for an oversight committee, I thought that was a very good first step,” Whaley said after the most recent city commission meeting.
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Dayton accounts for between 40 to 50 percent of the county jail’s inmate population, and the city would like to appoint a proportionally similar share of the jail oversight committee, Whaley said.
Whaley also said she does not have confidence that the Justice Department will investigate potential issues at the jail, and even if it does, it could take years.
Issues at the jail impact the community, said Whaley, who also recommended to the sheriff that the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court and county prosecutor be allowed to make appointments.
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Dayton’s mediation center also has been in contact with the sheriff and plans to offer conflict-resolution training to jail personnel, city officials said. The city expects a service agreement will come before the city commission in the near future.
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Sheriff Plummer told this news organization he reached out and thanked the mayor for her support and willingness to assist in putting together an oversight committee.
The city of Dayton is a stakeholder and customer of the county jail whose input is valuable, Plummer said.
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Whaley said Dayton instituted a program similar to the IMPACT committee described by the sheriff, which has helped increase trust and transparency with the community. The program, Community Police Council, is focused on the Dayton Police Department.
“Thank you again for taking the initiative to create this committee,” the mayor wrote. “We continue to be a resource to both you and your staff as you investigate accusations and charges by those in your custody.”
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