Confirm Jen Louis as Chief of Police
Combined email address for the Berkeley City Council and Mayor Arreguin:
Remember to make some changes & put this in your own voice! Also be sure to add your name at the end before sending.
Subject: Vote YES and confirm Jen Louis as Chief of Police
Dear City Council Members and Mayor Arreguin,
I am writing to urge you to vote in favor of Interim Chief Jen Louis’ appointment as Berkeley’s official Chief of Police. Louis has been waiting for her permanent appointment for over two years now. This creates a culture of low morale among Berkeley Police Department officers, making it even more difficult for them to attract new recruits and increase retention. This is a significant problem as there are already over 30 vacancies within the department today.
In the aftermath of the fatal shootings at Telegraph and Durant last fall, Major Jesse Arreguin said at a City Council meeting that safety was his “top priority.” Berkeley residents, business owners, and constituents are now waiting to see if he meant what he said or if it was only for show. I understand that he is focused on running for the California State Senate, but until then he is still Mayor of Berkeley and he has a responsibility to protect public safety. The clearest way for Mayor Arreguin to do that and make good on his commitment is to vote in favor of Jen Louis’ appointment as Chief of Police.
Crime in Berkeley has become a serious problem. Senior citizens are being violently attacked– most recently, an 82-year old woman. A man was arrested after committing numerous sex assaults on the UC Berkeley campus. And speaking of UC Berkeley, students have been robbed at gunpoint twice in last few weeks and parents have started an advocacy group calling for better public safety in Berkeley. Since Berkeley PD announced they are forced to cut back on patrols, word has gotten out that there aren’t enough cops in Berkeley, and criminals clearly feel they can now get away with anything. Confirming Jen Louis would greatly help Berkeley PD fill its the 30+ vacancies, increase patrols around Berkeley, retain good officers, and prove that the City Council and Mayor Arreguin are serious about improving public safety.
Those who oppose Louis’ appointment as Chief base their argument on two items:
A sexual harassment investigation from 2017 in which she was subsequently cleared
The fact that a series of discriminatory text messages was sent by a group of Berkeley Police officers when Louis was neither an officer nor serving as interim chief
These folks argue that both items above must be “fully investigated” before Louis is named permanent Chief of Police. But the first item was already investigated thoroughly by City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley and resulted in clearing Louis of any wrongdoing. And it’s been six months since the texts in the second item came to light.
How long does an investigation take? It would appear these folks are willing to delay the naming of a permanent police chief indefinitely, and that any excuse will do.
Meanwhile, crime— especially violent crime —continues to climb.
Berkeley is at a tipping point. Are you going to sit back and let it become Oakland, or are you going to appoint a permanent police chief and start making our community safe again?
I urge you to vote in favor of Jen Louis’ appointment as Chief of Police.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]