Community activists demand Dallas police policy changes

Community activists upset over what they call "racial injustice" demanded change at a rally Monday morning outside Dallas City Hall.

Protestors laid out a plan they believe will help bridge the growing divide between police and the community members.

It was the first time protestors, upset with the current state of policing in Dallas, made specific demands to the Dallas Police Department and the city council. The protestors want changes that city leaders can make and won't cost the city any money, but could go a long way in restoring goodwill with the community.

About a hundred people with the Mothers Against Police Brutality and Texas Organizing Project rallied outside city hall with a message.

“That fight begins here, right here in these streets,” said D.C Pittman with the Texas Organizing Project. “But the change we're looking for is in there, in the halls of the government."

The group is calling on the mayor and city council to avoid enticements from the police unions.

“To decline these endorsements from the Dallas Police Association and to decline financial contributions from the police associations,” said John Fullinwider, co-founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality.

Fullinwider says by doing so, it would eliminate any influence the unions may have over elected officials who may be asking questions about a police-involved shooting.

Fullinwider is also calling on DPD to implement three changes to its policy. He wants officers involved in a shooting to remain off-duty until the investigation is complete and to undergo a mandatory drug test for all mood-altering substances.

"Cause [drugs go] to their state of mind in a tense situation,” said Fullinwider. “There's no reason to think the police officers are any different than the rest of American in the abuse of anabolic steroids or prescription drugs."

And finally, the group wants to change the way DPD handles officers who are involved in shootings. Three years ago, Chief David Brown implemented a new policy that gave officers a three day cooling off period before they provide statements to investigators. Protesters don't think it was the right move.

"As an officer and city employee in the city of Dallas, we don't think they should be treated any differ then a witness or a homicide suspect,” said Fullinwider.