SALT LAKE CITY — From the relatives of Utahns killed during officer-involved shootings to the former mayor of Salt Lake City, about 150 people took part in a rally Saturday demanding changes in police practices and policies.

"We demand accountability and we demand changes in policies and training and to make certain this kind of outrage never happens again," said former Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson, addressing the Families Speak Out on Police Violence event at Matheson Courthouse.

Danielle Willard family speaks

Melissa Kennedy, whose daughter Danielle Willard was shot to death by a former West Valley City officer on Nov. 2, 2012, a shooting that was deemed unjustified, captured the sentiments of many family members in attendance.

"I'm glad that you're here. But then again, I'm sorry that you're here, that you have to be a part of this," said Kennedy.

Kennedy acknowledged that her daughter's case differs from most in Utah because the actions of the officer who shot her husband were found to be unjustified and criminal charges have been filed against him.

Kennedy said she grew up around police officers. "I still have a lot of good friends who are police officers," she said.

But the rules of engagement have apparently changed, she said.

"This has got to stop. They have a whole new game, here. We need to know what their rules of the game (are). Show us on paper, in the law, where it is OK for them to say 'Stop or I'll kill you.' It's basically what they're saying," she said.

Dillon Taylor family speaks

Earlier this week, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office determined that a Salt Lake police officer's actions were justified in the Aug. 11 shooting of Dillon Taylor, 20, outside a convenience store in South Salt Lake.

The family is critical of the findings, said Gina Thayne, who is Taylor's aunt. Taylor, his brother and cousin, had stopped at the store en route to the cemetery to visit parents' graves. Taylor's mother and father died within seven months of one another six years ago, she said.

A press release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said officer Bron Cruz was justified in shooting Taylor because Taylor and two men he was with closely matched the description given by a 911 caller who reported three men with a gun.

"His shirt was lifted up when he was fired on. You could plainly see he had no weapon. And this was justified? He was prosecuted and executed before he was given a chance to do anything. And what was his crime? There was no crime," Thayne said.

Darrien Hunt family speaks

Cindy Moss, the aunt of Darrien Hunt, who on Sept. 10 was shot and killed by police in Saratoga Springs, said the split-second decision by police to fire their guns at her nephew will forever alter the course of his family's life.

Police have said Hunt, 22, lunged at officers when they shot him. According to Hunt’s family, an independent autopsy shows he was shot in the back. At the time, Hunt was carrying a sword that Moss said the family had purchased at a novelty store.

The Utah County District Attorney's Office has not yet determined whether the shooting was justified.

"We are pleading with the state and the cities to make some changes so that we can all be safer. We're pleading with police agencies to fight for our safety as much as they fight for their officers' safety," Moss said.

"It's obvious it never works for any police agency to police themselves. We need citizen review boards so police officers or those over them are not investigating themselves. It's a terrible example of conflict of interest."

Every officer should be required to wear uniforms equipped with a camera and face sanctions if they alter or remove the cameras.

A legal fight ahead

Kelly Fowler, attorney for Taylor’s family, urged people attending the rally to keep the issues of police militarization, deadly force and accountability on the front burner.

Legislation is being proposed regulating the use of body cameras by police, she said, noting that the Salt Lake City police have used them voluntarily. Given recent events, police may reconsider their use, she said.

No matter how one interprets the video of Dillon Taylor's shooting, "the fact that we have the video means we can talk about this," Fowler said.

Whether the issue is debated by state lawmakers or addressed by local governments, Fowler urged people attending the rally to speak out at public events and to tell friends and family because it is important for others to know this issue affects real people.

"Keep involved. Keep active. You'll see me there, too," Fowler said.

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