1. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you propose programs and/or initiatives to limit the number of arrests for minor offenses in the city?
White:
Laws must be upheld to maintain peace and justice. Minor offenses like parking tickets, littering and vandalism can take officers off the streets working these types of cases rather than protecting citizens.
2. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you support a pre-booking diversion program for drug-related offenses and for those suffering from mental health issues?
White:
I support fair and equitable laws and procedures to prevent issues, rather than only reactive responses. Jails are not equipped with personnel with the proper training to help those suffering from addiction and mental health issues.
3. If elected or re-elected to the city council, will you support a policy to require transparency and democratic accountability before city agencies acquire new surveillance tools?
White:
4. If elected or re-elected to the city council will you work to make stop and arrest data, including race and ethnicity data, available to the public quarterly?
White:
5. If elected or re-elected to the city council what will you do to ensure a timely, transparent and independent investigation whenever an officer uses deadly force?
White:
I will work with CLERB to establish common, shared goals of a successful and thorough investigation. I would encourage identifying and closing any gaps. Also, I would support including necessary stakeholders in the communication channels.
6. Name 3 steps you would take as a council member to make the Community Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) more effective.
White:
First, I would work with CLERB to support defining success metrics and upholding high standards. I would also recommend resolving issues in an open, fair process. Finally, I would encourage benchmarking successful strategies and support and, creating a roadmap for iterative review and improvements for the Board.
7. Would you support policies, programs or initiatives to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline?
White:
As a father and Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, I realize the importance of having positive role models at an early age. As the husband of an educator, I am passionate about changing the lives of young people. Keeping them away from negative influences, holding them to high standards and doing whatever it takes to keep them from being on the wrong side of law enforcement.
8. What does criminal justice reform mean to you?
Everything must be on the table for real reform. Reform must be data-driven and insightful to measure success. It is essential to target the problems that have a clear path to resolution first and build a roadmap for future achievements. Reform is a team effort between government, the justice system, businesses, and the community. Education, communication, integrity, decency, and respect are the core cultural aspects of reform. I believe Memphis can be a beacon of change in criminal justice reform by having commonly shared goals and a path to success.