Ferguson–Can Cops be Held Responsible?

So many people are angry and confused at what’s happening with police officers whoFerguson kill citizens in the line of duty and don’t ever seem to be criminally charged.  Many people ask: As in Ferguson, can cops ever be held responsible for their actions?

Without getting into the politics of this issue, I want to look at the …

A Prosecutor and Police Officers

Years ago, I worked as a prosecutor of serious crimes in the largest county in Minnesota.  I had constant contact with police officers.  People police officersmistakenly think that police officers can charge serious crimes.  They investigate, gather evidence, and interview potential witnesses.  Then they bring that evidence to a prosecutor who makes the charging decision.  From my experience, here …

Ferguson, Missouri—Some Ideas

Now that some of the tragic events that happened in Ferguson, Missouri have passed, can we learn anything from this?  I worked as a prosecutor some years ago.  In that job I had lots of contact with police as we worked on cases.  Here are some ideas from my experience.Ferguson, Missouri

1.  The level of violence on both sides—the …