VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — Dozens of people gathered Tuesday in downtown Vancouver to call for changes in the city’s police department. 

Since the start of 2019, Vancouver police officers have shot and killed three people. 

Sixteen-year-old Clayton Joseph was fatally shot in February when officers say the teen refused to put down a knife. 

A week later, 28-year-old Michael Pierce died when police opened fire on him for waving what would later be identified as a replica gun. 

The most recent death took place earlier this month when 43-year-old Carlos Hunter was shot during a traffic stop carried out as part of a narcotics investigation. 

Hunter’s sister, Pam Hunter, was at the rally held by Southwest Washington Communities Unite for Change on Tuesday. She wants more transparency from the VPD and for officers to wear body cameras. 

“I want someone to tell me what happened and I know I probably will never get the answers that I want,” said Pam Hunter. “But if there was camera footage of it, I wouldn’t have to keep asking what it is — we would see it.” 

Pam Hunter added that police officers should have no reason to not show the public what they are doing. 

“Transparency is here for us all,” she said. 

Others at the rally chanted for justice, claiming there could be no peace without it. Many held signs calling for changes not only locally, but also at the national level. 

“Police brutality, no accountability in law enforcement — it is a problem in our nation,” said Ron Collin. 

Vancouver resident Diana told KOIN 6 News she knows people who have experienced distressing encounters with police in the past. 

“My friends are crying. I have video they have sent me of them crying and screaming with their friends laying in the middle of the road because an officer either isn’t understanding or what’s going on in their mind right now,” she said. 

Southwest Washington Communities Unite for Change is also calling on the VPD to increase its de-escalation training for officers. 

The group planned to hold a press conference in the next week where family members of those shot by police officers are expected to talk.  

On Monday, the Vancouver police chief addressed the topic of police-worn body cameras at a City Council meeting.

“They have their place in law enforcement,” said VPD Chief James McElvian. “I believe as technology continues to expand in our profession, we should utilize it to our advantage.”

He acknowledges that officers do tend to be more mindful with cameras rolling but said the downside comes with a price tag.

“You have to be concerned about policies around them, the cost, the maintenance,” McElvian said. “It’s not a simple ‘turn on body cameras and every officer has them.'”