During Tuesday nights Antioch City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker issued a statement during council communications and future agenda items.
Her brief statement rejected the idea of issuing an apology for her 9-minute rant against the Antioch Police Department which included foul language and multiple accusations against the police department. That incident is now under investigation and no information has been released to date. She also called out those who are using racially motivated attacks against her.
Here is a transcript of her statement (1:37:00 minute mark of the meeting):
“I would like to say, to the community, there have been some things that have been raised. I would like to say I am very well educated; I am actually the director of a county wide organization. I am a homeowner. I have years of training under my belt. I’ve traveled across the country and out of this country helping other communities address issues around racial disparity and equity and criminal justice as well as community policing. I am a great mother. My sons are amazing, and every young person makes mistakes. I also support and represent a lot of young people, foster youth and youth that have been impacted by criminalization from this very community. Youth timing out of systems because the community has failed them. That is what I bring to the table and to the community.
I just want to say I have been silent because normally I am very reflective. I am very thoughtful and very strategic. I want to let people know I have no intention on apologizing. I feel that my family deserves better in this city like every other family and I deserve quality policing services like every other resident.
I would also like to say it has been unfortunate to be called —- {racial slur}, b-i-t-c-h, a hood rat, a thug, a criminal. All of these things that are racial motivated, hate mail sent to my home, people showing up to my home, and I just want to say if I am going to be held to a higher standard, then you also need to reflect on your behavior and held to a higher standard. Racism is a real thing in this city and I am not going to pretend it doesn’t exist. And I also do not appreciate the hateful comments and messages that have been directed to other councilmembers who are also people of color.
I think if we all want to move this city forward and we want to work together for the betterment and better quality of life for all residents in Antioch, black indigenous people, people of color and poor people then we need to all get out from behind our keyboard and create deep relationship and have real conversations instead of making assumptions about who we are and why we are at the table and what we have to bring to the table.”
Mayor Offers No Timeline on Police Body Camera Vote
During future agenda items, Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked if tasers for the police department and community cameras would come back to the council in the month of March agenda. Thorpe said he did not have a date and when he did, he would let the city manager know and staff would be prepared.
“And that is if I decide to bring it back,” stated Thorpe.
Councilmember Mike Barbanica began asking for clarification about the body cameras, tasers and dash cameras when Thorpe cut him off asking if there was a future agenda item request.
“There is, my request is when that comes that all of those items to that agenda in march that all of those items are included in one conversation and one agenda item,” stated Barbanica.
Thorpe said he would take it under consideration for March and would him know what he decided.
At that point, Walker then issued her statement as shown above without interruption or point of order.
Editors Note:
Since 2016, the Antioch City Council has had several conversations regarding police worn body cameras including a June 2016 council meeting where then Chief Allan Cantando presented the item calling it a matter of time before officers had cameras—this came after protest of police misconduct. By February 2017, when the item returned which the council opted against cameras citing cost.
Most recently, the idea of body cameras have been brought up in the budget study sessions on two occasions, however, the council opted not to bring the issue forward under Chief Tammany Brooks.
Councilmemebrs Lori Ogorchock, Mike Barbanica and Tamisha Torres-Walker have all expressed support of body cameras in the past with it even being requested on the agenda several times in the past year.
Brentwood has had body cameras since 2007 while Pittsburg Police have had them since 2010. Antioch is only one of 4 agencies in Contra Costa County without body cameras.
