A resignation from the Eugene Police Commission by chair Jensina Hawkins raises concerns about “a broader pattern” in which bias is tolerated in civic life, the Eugene-Springfield NAACP said in a statement Wednesday.

“That culture not only erodes trust; it silences voices the City claims to value, especially women, people of color, and other marginalized community members,” the group said in the statement.

In an Aug. 7 resignation letter, Hawkins said the city failed to respond to “alienating, offensive and intimidating” behavior by another commissioner on the volunteer citizens’ advisory board, despite Hawkins repeatedly bringing concerns about the behavior to a city staffer.

The Eugene-Springfield NAACP called for the city to develop a “corrective action plan” to address issues Hawkins raised. Such a plan should include accountability measures, including censure and removal if harassment or bias is substantiated, as well as support and safety protocols for those reporting concerns, the group said.

Demond Hawkins, president of the Eugene-Springfield NAACP, is married to Jensina Hawkins.

The group’s statement said the issues raised in the resignation of Jensina Hawkins are “not an isolated incident,” with branch members “consistently” hearing of and experiencing “how bias and unequal treatment are permitted to fester in public processes.”