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stated that at this point in time, the officers involved in the incident have refused to cooperate with the two investigatory bodies trying to determine why Rick Escobedo died. He stated that they have refused to speak with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office which is conducting the investigation to determine whether or not there was criminal activity and the Coroner who is trying to determine the cause of death. He stated that it is even more troubling that the officers are on the street without the cause of death being known since there are significant injuries that have not been explained in the police reports. Sergeant First Class Gilbert Plubell stated that he is with the Army National Guard and was activated for the Los Angeles riots in May of 1993. He stated that his brother-in- law, Rick Escobedo, was denied due process as was Rodney King. He further stated that those police officers who are still on the street should be removed from the police force and the Police Chief should be forced to step down because of his bad judgment in this case. He stated that in Los Angeles the people rose up and forced change and asked that it not be allowed to come to that. Armando Olvera, cousin of Rick Esoobedo, stated that he was born and has lived in Redwood City his whole life. He stated that he has known that the Police Department has been a little more brutal to the Latino, Black and minority populations. He stated that although it has been ignored in the past, when people are being killed, it is time to speak up. He asked the Council Members to urge the Chief of Police to keep the officers'involved in the death off the streets until the D.A.'s investigation is complete and the findings clear on the incident. He also asked that since pepper spray has been found to be lethal in some instances, that its use be banned. He further urged that the practice of hog tying be banned because it has been found to cause asphyxia. He asked that the Police Department change policy on how it deals with the public at large. An oversight committee developed by the citizens to oversee the Department to freely investigate complaints should be considered in the future. Al Perez, cousin of Rick Escobedo, stated he has lived in Redwood City most of his life. He stated that he has always believed that the Police Department has a difficult job in what they are mandated to do which is to protect the public. He stated that they are given a great deal of latitude and resources to do the job that often involves people breaking the law, violence and guns. He stated that he thinks if there are no guidelines to help the police officers know when to restrain themselves that these types of incidences will keep occurring and not be minimized by time or anything else. He stated that until an incident such as this hits close to home you do not think it is your problem. He stated that he does not think that having no consequences for something so serious is the right attitude or path to take. He stated that he wants justice, not vengeance and asked that consideration of everything be given in a fair and just way. Ishmael Tarikh, Director or Bay Area Police Watch, stated that the organization is based in San Francisco and is part of a national human rights organization known as SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING DECEMBER 16, 2002 MINUTES PAGE 2 MINUTES Book No. 59 Page No. 337