ROCKWALL (WBAP/KLIF News) – A local Hispanic leader is calling on the Rockwall Police Department to review its policy on deadly force following a fatal officer-involved shooting last month.
Police said Jose Felix Reyes Junior rammed his vehicle into two patrol cars during a domestic violence call before he was shot and killed by police.
The investigation is still open but Sol Villasana, president of the League of the United Latin American Citizens Chapter in Rockwall, is asking the department to review how it trains its officers.
“Part of that review may be to consider how mental illness, physical impairments, certain other hidden disabilities, language skills” he said.
Villasana also said there needs to be an increase in diversity on the force. He said if the Rockwall Police Department had more Hispanic officers, they may have been able to better communicate with Reyes.
“There are very very few on the force. So, anyway looking at how those factors might work into situations were officers use deadly force,” he said.
In the wake of several high-profile officer-involved shootings across the nation, many police departments across the country are promoting transparency as a way to better connect with the communities they serve.
It’s a move Villasana said he agrees with and that’s why he thinks it should be mandatory that Rockwall police officers wear body cameras.
“Also take the opportunity to calm and kind of reassure all of Rockwall”s diverse community, it’s Latino community,” he said.
Villasana said he has spoken with Chief Kirk Griggs and hopes to see some changes.
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