The US Justice Department is suing Ferguson, Missouri to force the city to adopt police reforms negotiated with the federal government.
Unarmed black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer in the city in 2014, sparking protests.
Ferguson was required to reform its policing after investigators found widespread racial bias in the force.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said there was no option but to sue after the city voted to revise the agreement.
"The residents of Ferguson have waited nearly a year for their city to adopt an agreement that would protect their rights and keep them safe," she said.
"They should not be forced to wait any longer."
She accused Ferguson's police of routinely carrying out unconstitutional practices that disproportionately targeted the black community.
Ferguson's council voted six to none on Tuesday night to reject the agreement, citing concerns about costs.
Even if they win the civil rights suit filed against them, they could face millions of dollars in legal fees.
There has been no immediate comment from Ferguson officials on the justice department's announcement.
A grand jury and the Department of Justice declined to prosecute Michael Brown's killer, white officer Darren Wilson.
The shooting generated a national debate about race relations and police violence.
Is there anything which cannot be solved...
Is there anything which cannot be solved...
by suing?
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: Is there anything which cannot be solved...
Part of the demand from the feds is that all officers get a $14000/year raise.
Re: Is there anything which cannot be solved...
Lawsuits are how the DOJ forces state and local jurisdictions to comply with Constitutional mandates, that's how our system works. The DOJ has no authority to walk in and force compliance, it must first prove its case before a court of law and obtain a court order mandating compliance. However, often a state/local jurisdiction will enter into a consent decree with the DOJ, rather than attempt to defend itself.
How does it work in Oz? Can the federal government walk into any city or state and run the show, and the locals just comply without argument?
How does it work in Oz? Can the federal government walk into any city or state and run the show, and the locals just comply without argument?
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Is there anything which cannot be solved...
The Ferguson police force should get a top-to-bottom purge, a 100% turnover in personnel.
Treat Gaza like Carthage.
Re: Is there anything which cannot be solved...
Jarlaxle wrote:The Ferguson police force should get a top-to-bottom purge, a 100% turnover in personnel.
There are a small number of diseases for which a purgative is a cure. There are a larger number of diseases for which it is not and the body is punished without any benefit. I think I would choose a cure fit to the disease.
yrs,
rubato