TAVIS SMILEY GRANTED EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BART POLICE CHIEF KENTON RAINEY POST OSCAR GRANT VERDICT
LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2010) – Tavis Smiley’s nationally-syndicated The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International (PRI) obtained an exclusive interview with newly appointed Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police chief Kenton Rainey since former officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter July 8. Chief Rainey’s appearance was preceded by Smiley’s conversation with John Burris, attorney for the Grant family. Chief Rainey gave a present overview of the department and the road ahead.
“Morale is low, but personnel are going about their jobs in a very, very professional matter, again understanding what has transpired and that we have a lot of work we have to do in repairing our image with the community.”
Chief Rainey also explained the procedural changes have been implemented within the department since the New Year’s Day 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant, which was caught on video.
“As I viewed the tape with America when it was first aired, obviously I was very troubled by what I saw. But since then, BART to its credit, as an organization before I was hired had two outside organizations come in and take a top-to-bottom review of the department and looked at...did an organizational assessment and made a number, number of recommendations that we’re currently undertaking; like use of force investigation. All use of force is now reported…have to be reported and reviewed in its entirety by the chief of police.”
“Our personnel now undergo racial profiling training on an annual basis, even though that is more than what the state peace officers standards of training calls for.”
About The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International (PRI)
The Tavis Smiley Show engages commentators and guests in substantive and provocative discussions on a wide range of topics including: politics, health, finance, sports, technology, and pop culture. The show’s hallmark is an insightful exploration of the issues that matter from fresh, diverse points of view.Tavis Smiley was recently named to TIME’s list of 100 “Most Influential People in the World.”
The Tavis Smiley Show is produced by Smiley Radio Properties and is supported in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
This 2-hour program airs weekends on local public radio stations nationwide and locally on 91.7 FM KALW in San Francisco , Fridays from 1-3pm.
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