Gov. Inslee chooses 2 Tri-Citians for state task force on policing and racial justice

A Tri-City educator and poet and a Pasco small business owner will join a statewide discussion on policing and racial justice.

Jordan Chaney and Brian Moreno are two of 24 people across the state appointed this week by Gov. Jay Inslee to a new task force.

The members include civil rights activists, attorneys, law enforcement officers and family members of people who died in confrontations with police. They are coming together to craft potential state laws.

The announcement follows nearly a month of protests that came after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. This has been complicated in Washington because of questions following the death of Manuel Ellis in March by Tacoma police, according to the Seattle Times.

The independent investigation of Ellis’ death by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is being questioned after it was learned that one of the department’s deputies was involved in the apprehending Ellis.

Also the department did not appoint two citizens to oversee the investigation, or follow rules required by Initiative 940, the Times reported.

This task force will be looking to see if the initiative approved by voters in 2018 is being followed. The measure required officers to receive training in deescalating problems, bias and alternatives to using deadly force.

The governor’s task force are part of joint effort with legislators to see if the reforms put in place with the initiative are working and to create a comprehensive set of reforms, according to the governor’s office.

“We must listen to the voices of impacted communities and families to hear their experiences with policing,” Inlsee said in a statement announcing the committee members. “This work will inform legislation and help chart a path towards addressing some of these systemic and extremely harmful practices and policies that have impacted communities of color for generations.”

Two community leaders

Chaney has been a staple at Black Lives Matter protests throughout the Tri-Cities, but his roots in the Tri-City community go deeper than that.

A motivational speaker and poet, he regularly shares his experiences of finding and sticking to his life’s purposes with audiences. He’s also made regular appearances in guest columns for the Tri-City Herald, including one explaining why “All Lives Matter” is a hurtful slogan.

Along with Pasco Councilwoman Blanche Barajas and Vinny Marin Gomez, the owner of Vinny’s Bakery, Cafe & Bistro, he worked to create a community art wall.

He also has led workshops to help people navigate communities where racism, politics and the lack of social justice are inescapable, according to his website.

Brian Moreno, a Pasco businessman, has been serving on the state’s commission on Hispanic affairs since 2016.

The owner of McDonald’s of Othello, he is focused on economic development and is passionate about safe communities and role of law enforcement, according to the commission’s website.

He also spent two years as the corporate sales manager for the Tri-City Americans.

Along with his work on the commission, he helps Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue.

This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 12:57 PM.