A nightmare. An absolute nightmare. 7 officers. Grand jury refuses to indict any. That’s how it usually happens. Charging & conviction (as in the case of the ofcr who killed George Floyd) is rare indeed. washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05…
Can the feds try the ofcrs? They should certainly try. But the fed crim statute (section 242) has a high standard. That’s why the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would change the standard of illegal ofcr conduct from “willfulness” to “recklessness.”
Can the ofcrs be sued civilly for damages? Sure.Then they’ll raise the defense of qualified immunity. That’s why the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would end qualified immunity for law enforcement ofcrs, which would give families the chance to hold these ofcrs accountable.
Let’s say these ofcrs are fired now that this video has been released. Should they be permitted to join the force of another law enforcement agency in another town? No. That’s why the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would create a national police misconduct database.
To be clear, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act won’t end all brutal policing. But it is designed to remove the critical legal barriers that block the ability to hold law enforcement ofcrs accountable for the kind of monstrous conduct you see in this video.
And ofcrs will know that even if the local prosecutor or grand jury won’t charge or indict, or local jury won’t convict they’ll face sure federal prosecution. They’ll know they’ll have to stand trial in civil ct. They’ll know they’ll never work in policing again.
We must break the regime of impunity that protects law enforcement ofcrs from consequences. Learn more about the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act congress.gov/bill/116th-con… And call your Senator and demand its passage: 202-224-3121.
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