Betty Shelby killed Terrence Crutcher. But she was acquitted. Then, she was reinstated as an officer in the Tulsa Police Department and now, her record has been expunged by the court. Agencies completing background checks on Shelby won’t find this incident of police brutality. As a result, Shelby will be able to continue to serve as a law enforcement officer. How can we continue to accept the return to duty of officers who are unfit for the job, such as Shelby? Where is the justice for Terrence Crutcher and for his family that Shelby can return to work, return to her life, but Mr. Crutcher cannot? Removing this case from Shelby’s record demonstrates how little Mr. Crutcher’s life mattered to the justice system and how easy it is for police officers to get away with violence.

As MOBB United for Social Change, we are angry that yet again, there is no justice for Terrence Crutcher. We must continue to fight for justice and reform to protect our sons. We must continue to hold law enforcement agencies and the courts responsible for perpetuating police violence against Black men and boys.

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc. is a nationwide coalition of moms who are dedicated to making the world a safer place for Black boys and men by eradicating harassment, brutality and unwarranted use of deadly force by law enforcement against our sons. The group was born out of frustration over the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile in Minnesota and numerous other innocent Black boys and men killed by police before and after them. It has grown into a mobilized force of moms determined to make a difference. We aim to influence both policy and perception that impact how Black boys and men are treated by law enforcement.