The following is an open letter addressed to Mendocino County’s Sheriff Matt Kendall written by a concerned citizen.
Remember opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of MendoFever nor have we checked the letter for accuracy.
To submit a letter to the editor/an op-ed/or an open letter for consideration, please send it to matthewplafever@gmail.com. Please consider including an image to be used–either a photograph of you or something applicable to the letter. However, an image is not necessary for publication.
Dear Sheriff Matt Kendall,
I have found the time to ponder on the many complexities of the judicial system and minorities. Specifically for the racial minorities (Black and Latino) who lack inclusion with your Sheriff’s Department, in the consistent discussion and programs since the advent of the George Floyd BLM movement.
The missing links are often seen by the Board of State and Community Corrections.
According to the recent 2021 Publicly Accessible Data Sets, the racial demographic reports 20,184 Hispanic and 565 Black individuals reside in Mendocino County.
Additionally, the 2020 arrest reports indicate 115 were Black and 989 were Latino/Hispanic. The 2021 California: State of California of Incarceration Mendocino County reports individuals who were Black were 2.5 times more likely to be arrested than other ethnicities.
This poses many questions which I hope you can clarify and if you are unable, maybe we can focus on the missing links to better understand the data. How many of those Black individuals (119) were duplicated? Meaning multiple arrests for the same person as Black. Furthermore, how many of the individuals who were arrested as Black included no filing and sentences dropped, meaning arrested but released and the DA did not pick up the case due to lack of merit for the arrest, lack of evidence, etc.?
According to the Human Rights Watch Analysis of 2014-2015 county jail data and Public Policy Institute of California (which reviews only the following Alameda, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Fresno, San Francisco, and Orange counties) police in California made 1.5 felony arrests of those, nearly one in three, close to half-a-million people, were arrested and jailed, but never found to be guilty of any crime. This data does not report misdemeanors which are presumed to be much higher for being innocent or having no filing.
This makes me further question the current number of innocent Black civilians who have been arrested in Mendocino County; who were wrongfully arrested, having lack of merit for the arrest, and lack of evidence.
I am not implying Black individuals do not engage in criminal activity, nor am I suggesting there is an intention by government agencies based on misnomers of conspiracy. I am sure that there are a number of individuals who did commit the crimes and I appreciate your department for helping to ensure the safety of the community. I ask these questions to understand why the data implies that Black individuals are often criminals but does not further include data to show the Black individuals who were wrongfully arrested or did not have any filing due to lack of evidence or innocence. Many individuals who are arrested, are not automatically guilty of a crime and should be presumed innocent until due process. The lack of additional data included in this report further perpetuates the stigma due to the lack of objectivity and in-depth analysis. Which is needed to peel back the layers to understand the core of how? How many individuals arrested were actually convicted of the crime? How many of those individuals arrested did not have any charges?
By comparatively analyzing these numbers we can get to the root to further understand why. Why are Black individuals 2.5 times more likely to be arrested than other ethnicities in Mendocino County? I provided the data that your jurisdiction and the criminal courts of Mendocino often use, to propose more solutions to this apparent issue. Many correctional departments throughout California are working diligently to get to this core as they understand the role of bias and policing. However, Mendocino County has to care enough to address these issues and it starts with the conversation centered around transparency and solvency.
It would be helpful to provide more discussions with the Black community regarding these concerns. The Black community who live and matter in this town and not during a hashtag movement that seemingly dies along with the conversations and committees.
I am for providing more money and funding to the police to address these questions and concerns. To implement implicit bias testing, judicial equity committees, training, counseling, and support for the deputies who dedicate their lives to working to protect and serve the community. I would like to know the efforts that your department is making to build trust and outreach to the small Black community and the Sheriff’s Department of Mendocino County and engage in discussions about many Black community members who often deal with discrimination not only by your deputies but by the community as whole. Especially when it is implied as seen in the Data Sets of Mendocino County, that further creates a distrust for Black community members who work hard, take care of their families, and assist with the development of this community. Instead of being pulled over for driving while black and interrogated as if they live in a society of scrutiny, surveillance, and automatic assumption of being criminals.
Black communities often do not trust cops and it is not because they are criminals it is because there are two perspectives of distrust. The Black individual being pulled over distrusts the Deputy and police officer, as they often feel they are automatically perceived as criminal. The deputy is more inclined to be suspicious of Black individuals because of the automatic assumption of being perceived as a criminal, similar to public data.
Sheriff Matt Kendall, if you care, I hope you respond. I hope you can inform me on ways that your department is addressing these issues and I am open to a conversation. As I have always expressed as an activist during BLM and still today, racism is taught. You are not born having a racist ideology. It is a complex issue often perpetuated by ignorance, complacency of ignorance, accountability, and lack of caring.
We still matter.
Sincerely,
Kamelle Leggette
Can you please explain how you arrived at the opinion the blacks are 2.5 times more likely to be arrested in Mendocino county? It really doesn’t make statistical sense. By your numbers, Blacks are .006% of the population and Hispanics are 22% but what about all the other minorities in the county, you completely ignore the original inhabitants of this area.
Just from my own observation, far more tribal members are arrested than blacks. Of those arrested who happen to be black, few are from our community, most are from out of county and sometimes out of state. I believe some people see racism because they want to, not because it is actually there. But that’s fine, go ahead and play the race card because that’s exactly what the powers that be want you to do. The more that card is played the less likely people will notice what is really going on. The real war is on poverty, not race. Wake up
Please see https://www.vera.org/california-state-of-incarceration/fact_sheets/Mendocino_County_fact_sheet.pdf , have Google will travel to knowledge and understanding. No where did I say there is a war on race, clearly this is not a Civil War between free states and slave states. I posed a question that included the numbers found in their data. I asked questions to gain knowledge not to pull a race card. However, disregarding inequities and not fully understanding how intersectionality of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, etc. plays in the role of injustice is like looking at a piece of a photo and claiming to know what is fully captured. Please do more research so you can understand where my questions were coming from.
Wow, that is really hard to read! As one of the 565 and never been arrrsted, your argument is lost in the inconclusive statistical analysis. Did you contact MCSO or the Sheriff directly to get your answers or did that not sooth your need for attention? If you look at the arrest data closer you will see most of the black arrests are not on residents. Nice try.
I don’t need attention, I get enough from my family and friends. I appreciate your response minus the pettiness, as it helps raise the discussion. I reviewed the data set which is only 14 pages, no where did it say it was out of the county. Furthermore, I did not state that only Mendocino county Black people are being locked up. Regardless if they are from this town or not the question was, why are Black people 2.5 times higher to be arrested in Mendocino County, not Black people who are Mendocino County residents. Please read first before coming to conclusions, that is how you respond articulately.
The assumption that Eastern or Western European law enforcement, is arresting, based on color of skin, is a stereotype or assuming statement. Because of different skin color, they are all, labeled racist? Or do not deserve the job? Most people serve, train and work very hard, to get to a place, in a career. And many good to great, policeman and sheriff’s, are stereotyped, because in every population and every skin color, bad apples exist. Bad apples, can destroy the barrel. Pick the bad apples out, it saves the entire barrel. But bad apples, have to be taken out of control, of all aspects, of law breakers, and of law enforcers. With care and without seeing skin tone, on either side, of the law. Unfortunately police of all skin color, are being subjected, to the worst punishment sentenced. Death by criminals hands, sometimes even called to fake scenes, then fired apon. How horrific and blatantly callous of a human being that wants to enfore laws, is that? Please give law enforcement, the respect and dignity for serving at all, even with the stereotype labels. People are one thing first. Human. All of us are human and all of us, are individuals. Separate and unique.
I am so confused, I don’t know where to start. So I’m trying to unpack the misnomers as respectfully and objectively. The discussion is not about “bad apples,” the discussion should be about why these “bad apples” became officers in the first place. Going back to my article, if you read it again, I said there are some good police officers out there, the issue is there is a lack of implicit bias testing and the psych evaluations are not in-depth because they do not include implicit bias testing. I also stated I am for providing grant funding from State and Federal departments to include that for law enforcement trainings and applications. It is one thing to say bad apples need to be taken out, it’s another to state a prevention solution for them not to be hired.
I expressed my appreciation for officers risking their lives to protect the public, as my acknowledgement and respect for their work. But with any job or position, it can be better or better understood, which is why I wrote this letter. The same letter, Matt Kendall has yet to respond to…
My dad just visited Mendo this weekend, and his comment after his first interaction with the police department was: “They wear cowboy hats? I would hate to get pulled over by the guy who think he is in mini-Texas”.
LOL! I appreciate the dark humor. It is definitely giving a Wild Wild West vibe. However, if they like the cowboy look, as long as they’re good people, I love it.
Maybe they don’t get applicants from those demographics? I don’t know that answer but it is worth checking into!
If we are to use this analogy, that means the sheriff’s dept and the police dept in Mendocino County and all over the country (& most likely the world) are indiscriminately arresting people based on their gender. Men make up 50% of the population but make up at probably 80% (if not 90%) of the arrests. So using this analogy, men are horribly discriminated against by police officers based on their gender.
Right.
Sandi, I like your point! Intersectionality includes multiple factors of race and gender. Not sure where you’re getting your statistics from, the county, the state, nation, or the world as you mentioned. However, I do concur with the more in depth analysis which will bifurcate the data to further explain intersectionality, which I would love to get from Sheriff Matt Kendall, but unlike you, he has not replied.
Kamelle Leggette, is, sadly and ignorantly, racist. To ask the government to focus on any race or any other trait not chosen, is racism.
The government is designed to see grey. Focus anywhere else is racist. We want the government to see grey. We don’t want them to see skin color, prowess or ineptitude of finance, emotion.
I’m the first in line to encourage free speech… But damn, look in the mirror before you address the public. Talk with random folks in your community first. You’ll get some pointers as to what points are valid, which need to be reworked. You may find that you don’t have a leg to stand on. You may find that you’re on to something.
You said that you would spend the money: unless you are incredibly wealthy, you cannot spend the money that the government does. Assuming that you are somewhere around the mean income of Mendocino county residents, and that you cannot fund these “programs” yourself, you want blue collar folks to pay even even MORE on their taxes? That idea does not bode well with me.
Dear McGee,
My thoughts regarding the statistics is not racist it is a question, from reports found on https://www.vera.org/california-state-of-incarceration/fact_sheets/Mendocino_County_fact_sheet.pdf . When I say spend money please understand that I mentioned grant funding which counties and correction departments can bid to rectify several issues with their departments. These grant departments include the DOJ, OJJDP, etc.
Lastly, not seeing skin color is a valid point, but ignoring the facts regrading disproportionate issues pertaining to social issues that impact a community, is another. You may not see skin color but the history of racism and the KKK presence in this town, these ideologies do not go away for some individuals, as change takes time.
She may have many valid points, but the stats are not gonna be every meaningful because so few black people live here. If a black person gets arrested this week, week over week arrests of black people will go up 100%
Dear BassBird,
I appreciate your comment. However, I stand on the notion that an injustice to 1 individual does not quantify less than those who are many. It is still an injustice and it needs to be addressed.
A big part of bad policing stems from Police and Sheriff’s unions. The former LA Sheriff, against all evidence, has denied he ran a gang within the Sheriff’s dept for many years yet the cases against him pile up speaking to the contrary. Sheriff depts have always enjoyed a level of privilege police depts wish they had. Sheriff and police offices are some of the most expensive depts in any city or county agency. City of Ukiah paid out a quarter of a million dollars to settle a lawsuit a few years ago with a troubled UPD officer. CA started a decertification system to put troubled law enforcement officials on the do-not-hire list. It’s a small step in the right direction to bring accountability to law enforcement officials.
Perspective, I really enjoy your perspective. Like the saying goes, with power comes corruption. This is one of many issues that needs correction in the Sheriff’s Department in Mendocino County. It baffles me that departments act like they’re operating on 5g internet speed when they are stuck on dial-up AOL. This is evident in their lack of response and lack of solvency. Sheriff Matt Kendall has written about accountability but has he really upheld that with his department? I am by no means perfect, I have my faults, but by no means am I a criminal or a victim of circumstance, I am a human being, a mother, a daughter, a writer, and a child of God. As a Black woman I don’t trust the Sheriff Department in Mendocino County because I experienced the implicit bias that is evident in their reports. Words are powerful and it is a mirror that exposes the perspectives of individuals, including implicit biases. You can’t deem a person a perpetrator using a lexicon like “lie” and the other person as the victim, who is reported lying, using a lexicon like “exaggeration.” I am not blaming Mendocino County Sheriff for all of my circumstances and decisions like moving to this town and staying in a toxic relationship. I have taken accountability of my actions or in actions in many ways, but I also give myself grace because I know what I was experiencing and I know what I’m doing to make wiser decisions. We all have things we often say, if I could go back in time, I would have done this better…but it’s not about living in the past it’s learning those lessons to be better.
Just as I am asking Matt Kendall to do, look at the data reports from the past and discuss and implement ways to do better for the future. This is prevention, which starts with addressing what is often uncomfortable, because you’re not always right or perfect.
Departments are made of people who come with implicit biases and they too can get better.
Unfortunately Mendo is late to the draw when it comes to civil rights Not to say that improvements aren’t happening here but the community here is one fearful of the outside world. Whether these fears are real or not is another matter. The more Mendo becomes connected to the rest of CA the more resources this community can provide to its working class people. (I.E. urgent care centers, medical services, wider array of employers, and more housing) The more local officials block or obfuscate this process (using bad faith environmentalism, nimbism, subjective building codes, and/or outright bigotry, etc) the more pain for the working class will continue. Wish you the best of luck in Mendo.
didn’t you try to complain about this back in august 2023?
She claimed she was falsely arrested because of her skin color, twice I think, but I may be remembering incorrectly on the number. I don’t remember her telling the whole story, just the claim. People often get arrested before all the facts are known and charges are often dropped especially in domestic battery situations. The vast majority of people never get themselves into a situation with law enforcement. I’m sure some of those that do are innocent or just a victim of circumstance but if it happens more than once, maybe that person should look inward for a reason before blaming others. If you feel you are completely free of responsibility for the situation then by all means, speak up but be prepared to release all the evidence to prove your case.
I look forward to sharing my story with you, with a signed copy of my book. It is hard to speak on issues and tell individuals to look inward if you do not have all the pieces, as that is a form of victim blaming. Clearly, this issue is one that is a personal one for me. Which is why I looked beyond the surface to further understand if my issue was an anomaly or if it was a trend in this town. I analyzed the statistics https://www.vera.org/california-state-of-incarceration/fact_sheets/Mendocino_County_fact_sheet.pdf
Which proved it was the later and I asked Sheriff Matt Kendall a question, why?
Lastly, the automatic assumption that if an arrest happens more than once is the other persons doing or fault, is exactly the point I was making regarding the stigma without the facts reported in the data set. However, instead of assuming, I look at the data and ask why?
I complained in July 2023, yes. I have emailed Matt Kendall, etc. However, just like this article I have heard crickets. If I am wrong, why not send a letter with a response in MendoVoice? Why not address the issues I explained found https://www.vera.org/california-state-of-incarceration/fact_sheets/Mendocino_County_fact_sheet.pdf ? A lack of a response could mean several things, but silence is another form of complacency due to acceptance regarding these issues and a lack of caring. At least you responded, will Sheriff Matt Kendall?
If not. Then I guess it needs to go higher in the chain of command in the State to address the need for discussion, evaluation, and solvency.
You could try to expose your story to the youtube show. “Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey”
Am I the only one sick and tired of hearing BS about ‘the white man’ being evil? Enough already.
GG no one said the white man is evil, nor did I imply that. I asked Matt Kendall questions with the hopes of understanding. But just as you’re tired of hearing issues about racism, people of color are beyond tired of experiencing it.
Thoughtful article. I know 2 Black folks been here 41 years I have. If the police are to represent Mendoz cultural divide well we need more Natives, Hispanics.
Police work is a calling like any other profession. Maybe all the new hires will represent a kinder more empathetic heart. Any body can be trained to do a job. Doing it with respect and kindness is what I’m hoping for.
I find the article to be biased and lacking credible stats.
Also, any creed/color of person is able to apply for the job. No one is stopping them.
Law enforcement is always short staffed and overwhelmingly stressed. I’m sure they’d appreciate the help!
Please read the facts https://www.vera.org/california-state-of-incarceration/fact_sheets/Mendocino_County_fact_sheet.pdf
Have google, gain knowledge. Hiring more officers does nothing if an Administration with higher ranking is not practicing the notions they preach by making their departments better. Data is not meant to sit on a shelf, it exposes the good and areas of improvement. My question to Matt Kendall asked, what is he doing to address these issues.
I agree, the power is in not in the law enforcement with lower rankings, although there are some decent and professional cops. The power is in the Administration who drive the overall culture of law enforcement, they need to care to address the issues or be reformed.
Wondering why you haven’t made good on your agreement to pay Brian K for running into his car? Or is that something you are not interested in?
Silence speaks volumes.
I was not silent at all. Please do not speak on matters you are not aware of, there is a saying about people who assume…
Better yet, please focus on the article which have factual basis not assumptions and misunderstandings. But I do believe that saying…silence speaks volumes and Matt Kendall has yet to remain silent.
– Said respectfully…
Good day.
I was not silent at all. Please do not speak on matters you are not aware of, there is a saying about people who assume…
Better yet, please focus on the article which have factual basis not assumptions and misunderstandings. But I do believe that saying…silence speaks volumes. Matt Kendall has yet to respond.
– Said respectfully…
Good day.