Bozeman United Demands Police Officers Fired & Salaries Dedicated to Crisis Work

Bozeman Police Department

On Sunday, September 12th, a woman in our community was violently battered and pinned onto the concrete by three Bozeman Police officers, one officer kneeling on her head. She was sent to the hospital with symptoms of broken ribs. We are outraged and sickened by this violence.

Here is a link to the Chronicle article with video of the incident below (content warning: graphic violence towards women). The cops showed up because of “a report of a woman mooning people after leaving a bar on Main.” She needed a ride home, not broken ribs. A trained crisis responder could have de-escalated this situation, and/or gotten her appropriate support had she been under the influence or going through a mental health crisis. With a $10 million dollar annual police budget, the question was not IF police violence was going to be caught on camera, but WHEN.

If YOU are outraged and sickened by this violence that took place in our community, sign our petition. Join us in the fight for a Bozeman that truly keeps us safe.

Sign this petition to express your support. We demand:

  • The Bozeman Police Department fire the three officers that physically assaulted the survivor of this violence.
  • The Bozeman Police Department terminate the officers' positions.
  • The Bozeman Police Department reallocate the salaries of these officers to local crisis response agencies working specifically in mental health and addiction services.

We believe we can build a safer and more equitable Bozeman. And we know we will only be safe when we invest in the resources people need and the systems that provide actual care. Bozeman United will continue to push for the defunding of Bozeman's police force. Until that day, we will continue to call for steps toward justice and accountability.

Please share this petition. We need your help to end this violence in our community.

To: Bozeman Police Department
From: [Your Name]

We, Bozeman United for Racial Justice, in solidarity with our community and everyone that has experienced violence at the hands of the police, demand that the following actions be taken in lieu of the terrifying violence demonstrated by three Bozeman police officers on Sunday, September 12th, 2021.

We demand:

1. The Bozeman Police Department fire the three officers that physically assaulted the survivor of this violence.

2. The Bozeman Police Department terminate the officers' positions.

3. The Bozeman Police Department reallocate the salaries of these officers' positions towards local crisis response agencies working specifically in mental health and addiction services.