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A comment on Lawmakers begin bipartisan push to cut off police access to military-style gear. Parent comment

Re:Lawmakers begin bipartisan push to cut off police access ... by fisherjeff on Tuesday June 02, 2020 @02:16PM (#23394142)
This is a somewhat small distinction, but I think an extremely important one: prosecutors - not police unions - are responsible for the lack of charges and indictments against police[0]. And even if an indictment is returned, qualified immunity[1] reduces the chances of conviction.

[0] https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/ferguson-michael-brown-...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualified_immunity

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Re:Lawmakers begin bipartisan push to cut off police access ... by tynpeddler on Tuesday June 02, 2020 @02:48PM (#23394652)
Qualified immunity only applies in civil cases. The reason criminal charges are rarely brought in police abuse cases is because of the massive conflict of interest in having the police investigate themselves and be prosecuted by an AG who is essentially a close work colleague.
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Re:Lawmakers begin bipartisan push to cut off police access ... by teachrdan on Tuesday June 02, 2020 @02:46PM (#23394616)
Police unions contribute to political campaigns, make endorsements and turn out the vote for "anti-crime" candidates across the board, from President down to local DA. They certainly influence the likelihood of aggressive, or even competent, prosecution of cops who break the law.
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