Tesler verdict platform for police oversight funding request

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Almost a year after Atlanta's police department revamped its narcotics unit, a jury yesterday convicted an APD officer for his role in the notorious shooting that prompted the changes.

However, some local activists point to some unfinished business including police oversight.

Public outcry over the Kathryn Johnston shooting led Atlanta in March 2007 to update its civilian review board.

More than a year later, unfilled positions including an executive director have kept the board from investigating police complaints.

Another roadblock according to State Senator Vincent Fort is money from city hall.

FORT: The one thing they ought to do is fully fund the civilian review board and make sure that the board is in a position to make sure that this never happens again in Atlanta.

The mayor has allocated 311 thousand dollars for next fiscal year. However, board supporters want an extra 100 thousand dollars. City Council Finance Committee member Felicia Moore is all ears.

MOORE: If either the board or someone who present that information to the council I'm certain 150,000 dollars is something we could probably look as we're doing this new budget.

The budget's due by July First.