Justice Dept. launches broad civil rights investigation into Ferguson police practices
The Justice Department is opening a broad civil rights investigation into policing practices in Ferguson, Missouri, officials said Wednesday. The investigation, which could also include other police forces in St. Louis County, will examine if local police have a "pattern or practice" of violating residents' civil rights, such as through racial profiling or excessive use of force. It is in addition to a separate FBI civil rights investigation into Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown on Aug. 9.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson tells The New York Times that he welcomes the federal investigation. "We have no intentional policies or procedures which discriminated or violated civil rights," he said, adding, "Obviously, we have gaps."
At least five Ferguson police officers and one former officer have outstanding federal lawsuits against them claiming excessive force, The Washington Post reported last weekend, including allegations that cops hog-tied a 12-year-old boy who was out checking his family's mailbox and have pistol-whipped children. Attorney General Eric Holder has been more aggressive than his predecessors in investigating police departments for using excessive and deadly force.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Israel concedes it may not be able to destroy Hamas
Speed Read Despite five months of war in Gaza, Israeli intelligence officials admit the militant group eludes them
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The art world and motherhood: the end of a final taboo?
Talking Point Hettie Judah's new touring exhibition offers a 'riveting riposte' to old cliches
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Musk's reliance on China draws rising scrutiny'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published