Des Moines Sun

An alleged letter that was "hand-delivered in secret" to the Des Moines City Council from the local police union is being asked to be released by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) members. 

During a city council meeting, members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement spoke of the letter "in regard to Aug. 20 tweets by Ward 3 Councilman Josh Mandelbaum," who was criticizing arrests made of two protestors. 

"These charges come days after a protest that ended without incident," Mandelbaum tweeted in response to the arrests of Matthew Bruce and Rev. Kristin Wolf Peters, both who are Des Moines Black Libertarian Movement activists, Des Moines Register reported. "These charges are unnecessary and at best, create an appearance of retaliation. These charges should be dropped."

After seeing the comments on Twitter, the Citizens for Community Improvement issued a news release about the alleged letter. 

They claim it "was hand-delivered in secret by the police union to avoid a public records request. It addressed comments that a council member made on Twitter and to the Des Moines Register after the arrest of two Des Moines Black Liberation Movement leaders," Des Moines Register reported. 

Through an open records request, a Des Moines Register reporter obtained the letter after the organization demanded it be released. 

Mandelbaum also said on Twitter that he was the subject of the letter. 

"I see no reason why the letter cannot be disclosed to the public, and I expect that it will be," Mandelbaum said on Twitter, Des Moines Register reported. He also explained that the letter was focusing on his tweets. "They were voicing their displeasure with me, as is their right. Regardless, I'll continue to work to provide accountability and to improve the way we provide city services including public safety."