The Sacramento branch of the NAACP has asked the FBI to investigate the Twin Rivers Police Department for allegations of misconduct and abuse of authority, according to a news release from the branch.
NAACP representatives also have asked the FBI for an "in-depth analysis to be done on the scope of duties, authority and boundaries" of the Twin Rivers school police force.
"It's imperative that the FBI gets involved immediately, and address the concerns of the Sacramento community, get answers, and establish open communication," the news release states.
But FBI officials say their agency typically does not conduct such wide-ranging reviews, and that this likely won't be an exception.
Instead, the FBI can investigate specific allegations of misconduct by police officers, said Special Agent Steve Dupre, a spokesman for the Sacramento FBI office. He said residents who feel they have evidence of Twin Rivers police abusing their authority should come forward directly to the FBI.
"If they feel they're a victim, they're more than welcome to contact our office and file a complaint," Dupre said. "I don't think we would be able to initiate an investigation based on this media advisory."
Tensions between the community and the Twin Rivers Police Department have reached fever pitch since the Oct. 22 shooting of a Twin Rivers police officer following a traffic stop.
Sacramento police officers later arrested the alleged shooter, 32-year-old Tyrone Smith. As two city police officers were transporting Smith to police headquarters for questioning, Smith lost consciousness in the back of the patrol car.
Officers and then paramedics performed CPR, but Smith died at the hospital. His cause of death is not yet known, and the Sacramento County Coroner's office is awaiting test results before making a final determination.
Twin Rivers police did not play a direct role in the suspect's arrest. However, community members have used the initial traffic stop as an example of school police officers overstepping their bounds. Some local law enforcement agencies have joined the discussion, adding their own concerns that Twin Rivers officers go beyond their mission of protecting students, employees and property of the Twin Rivers Unified School District.
The district's board of trustees is scheduled to meet tonight, and concerns over the police force are expected to be discussed.
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