What does it take for a city to hold its own accountable? On Friday, Oct 25, Emancipate NC held a press conference in response to the demotion of RPD Officer Twiddy who had a long and problematic track record with the Black community.
Because of NC laws denying the public details behind Twiddy’s demotion, one is left to speculate that it was in response to the investigation into Officer Twiddy’s racist social media post. Considering he has notoriously harassed the Black Community of Raleigh since at least 2016, this tool of accountability is long overdue. His style of Jim Crow-era policing has inflicted untold trauma and pain upon Raleigh’s Black community for over 2 decades, however, this is the first time RPD has displayed the political will to create a fair, just, and equitable police department. While the community appreciates that some attempt at accountability was made, it is far too little and far too late to regain community trust.
RPD, Raleigh City Council, District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, and the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission are squarely responsible for the ongoing terror of Raleigh’s Black community. Twiddy felt comfortable posting a racist social media post because he works within a law enforcement culture that celebrates the menacing of Black people.
During this important election season, it is imperative that the voters of Raleigh use their power to elect city council people who will not foster a police department that behaves like a terrorist organization and will force Chief Patterson to do her job and clean up her proverbial house. The people of Raleigh deserve a city council and police department free of systemic and institutional racism. You have the power to make Raleigh safe for its Black citizens. Vote with intention!