Making the Case for Independent Prosecutors in Police Shootings

In the aftermath of the Tamir Rice shooting, the Lawyers’ Committee made the case for independent prosecutors in connection with police misconduct. As our Executive Director, Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, discussed on the Boston news show, City Line:

“Every day, police officers and police departments work closely with prosecutors. Some people believe this raises a conflict of interest. Imagine trying to indict your boss, colleague or sibling.  There is a good conversation to be had about the pros and cons of appointing a special or independent prosecutor if a police officer is accused of a crime. At a minimum, it would go a long way in building trust and in reassuring people who are not inclined to give the police the benefit of the doubt based on their lived experience.”

Click here for City Line coverage of Tamir Rice and independent prosecutors.

Click here for the Lawyers’ Committee’s Statement on Tamir Rice.