Commonwealth Attorney Robert Horan, declared no charges would be filed against the officer, and the case would not be presented in front of a grand jury. Cases like these demonstrate the reluctant some prosecutors have with pressing charges against police officers.
Choosing to charge or not charge an officer with a crime has become a highly debatable subject as police officers are cited as having to make split-second actions. If an officer hesitates too long, they can be injured or killed from inaction. If an officer acts too quickly, wrong decisions can be made, and an innocent person can die like Culosi. Police misconduct is often treated as a personnel matter to be dealt with by a police department opposed to a prosecutor getting involved …show more content…
King. Regardless of the 81-second video which depicted Rodney King receiving baton blows, kicks and punches from multiple officers, a jury found the officers’ conduct appropriate. Due to the verdict, public outrage resulted in the outbreak of the LA riots which resulted in over 50 people killed, and millions of dollars in damages (Stewart, 2011, p. 327). The riot was the result of a community not having a legal mechanism to properly vent their frustrations. Despite officers being charged for their crimes, this remedy did not translate to be enough for the community to contain their frustrations. Often riots are the result of multiple social frustrations which end up spilling over into a riot. Despite the legal mechanisms in trying to hold officers accountable, social mechanisms also need to be in place to satisfy a public’s need for information and the alleviate suspected biases or rumors of unfair practices being used. Civilian oversight initiatives can allow for this public satisfaction to happen by allowing a concerned public to remain informed on complaint …show more content…
Hence the reason why suitable lawyers are needed to challenge questionable arrests. Prosecutors have complete and unrivaled access to evidence that can determine a person’s guilt or innocence. Proper evaluation of this evidence needs to be made to rule out potentials for police misconduct. Because of these reasons, civilian oversight initiatives are needed to ensure processes are conducted fairly to mitigate any conflicts of interest that police officers have with prosecutors.
Despite technological advancements, there has not been an increase in the number of police officers charged with providing false testimony when an officer’s deposition does not match what occurred on tape. This has pressed prosecutors also to address these public concerns and press charges against officers accused of conducting unlawful actions. Actions though are often reactive and not proactive and come after the result of public outcries for
Choosing to charge or not charge an officer with a crime has become a highly debatable subject as police officers are cited as having to make split-second actions. If an officer hesitates too long, they can be injured or killed from inaction. If an officer acts too quickly, wrong decisions can be made, and an innocent person can die like Culosi. Police misconduct is often treated as a personnel matter to be dealt with by a police department opposed to a prosecutor getting involved …show more content…
King. Regardless of the 81-second video which depicted Rodney King receiving baton blows, kicks and punches from multiple officers, a jury found the officers’ conduct appropriate. Due to the verdict, public outrage resulted in the outbreak of the LA riots which resulted in over 50 people killed, and millions of dollars in damages (Stewart, 2011, p. 327). The riot was the result of a community not having a legal mechanism to properly vent their frustrations. Despite officers being charged for their crimes, this remedy did not translate to be enough for the community to contain their frustrations. Often riots are the result of multiple social frustrations which end up spilling over into a riot. Despite the legal mechanisms in trying to hold officers accountable, social mechanisms also need to be in place to satisfy a public’s need for information and the alleviate suspected biases or rumors of unfair practices being used. Civilian oversight initiatives can allow for this public satisfaction to happen by allowing a concerned public to remain informed on complaint …show more content…
Hence the reason why suitable lawyers are needed to challenge questionable arrests. Prosecutors have complete and unrivaled access to evidence that can determine a person’s guilt or innocence. Proper evaluation of this evidence needs to be made to rule out potentials for police misconduct. Because of these reasons, civilian oversight initiatives are needed to ensure processes are conducted fairly to mitigate any conflicts of interest that police officers have with prosecutors.
Despite technological advancements, there has not been an increase in the number of police officers charged with providing false testimony when an officer’s deposition does not match what occurred on tape. This has pressed prosecutors also to address these public concerns and press charges against officers accused of conducting unlawful actions. Actions though are often reactive and not proactive and come after the result of public outcries for