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Lochard Calixte Calls for Greater Community Involvement in Police Accountability
Our nationwide debate about excessive use of force by law enforcement visited Lancaster City on March 2, 2025, when the Lancaster Police Department arrested two Black teenagers aged 15 and 16 for riding their bikes at night without lights or reflectors. A disturbing video showed an officer kneeling on the back of a teen lying on the sidewalk while another officer threatened the person taking the video. In a press conference two weeks later, Lancaster Police Chief Richard Mendez claimed the use of force was justified.
As reported by LNP | Lancaster Online, Councilor Lochard Calixte offered an unequivocal response to the situation in a Lancaster City Council meeting:
Lochard Calixte was the sole council member on Tuesday who spoke directly in support of establishing a community review board. He said he was concerned by the video of the incident and police response.
“Our community deserves a commitment to just and equitable policing,” Calixte said. “Public safety is essential to any community. It’s fundamental. But it’s a collaboration between local government, the police and the community. Clearly, that collaboration is broken.”
Calixte went on to say that he is in favor of any measures that can help repair that collaboration, up to and including the formation of a civilian review board. “I support the community’s call for greater transparency,” he said. “And I encourage the police department to publicly release all past uses of force, including the latest use of force reports, ensuring all residents have access to important public safety information.”
The call for greater police accountability is part of Calixte’s larger effort to make Lancaster City government more transparent and responsive to its citizenry – a signature issue in his campaign for a second City Council term. He is also committed to equitable economic growth for all communities in the City and the acceleration of affordable housing development.
On May 20, the Democratic Primary will determine which candidates will be nominated to run for four open seats on the Lancaster City Council in November. Tony Collins, President of the Blake Collins Group, offered this endorsement of Calixte: “I’ve worked for city governments from New Jersey to Florida. Lochard Calixte stands out as a talented, effective, dedicated City Councilor. Lancaster City can only benefit from his sound judgement and policy ideas going forward.”