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A Blue Wall of Silence
With Jack B. Johnson,
Prince George's County State's Attorney
Tuesday, July 3, 2001; 11 a.m. EDT
Prince George's County police officers shot and killed people at rates that exceeded those of nearly any other large police force in the United States from 1990 through 2000. Almost half the people targeted by police were unarmed. Police officials declared all of the shootings justified but kept details about them secret. Police have shot at least a dozen mentally ill or emotionally distraught people since 1990, including six whom officers were initially called to help.
Jack B. Johnson is the Prince George's County State's Attorney. As the chief law enforcement officer for Prince George's County, Johnson works to identify problems in the criminal justice system that need legislative attention.
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Arlington, Virginia:
Mr. Johnson, do you think the Washington Post coverage of Prince George's County police is fair and accurate?
Jack B. Johnson: Yes, I believe that the story is fairly accurate and I think that it points out the need for strict internal controls and accountability. It also points out the need to have an independent unit within the Police Department to independently evaluate whether shootings/use of force are justified.
Fairfax, Virginia:
If you were the Commonwealth Attorney in Fairfax, Virginia, would you have charged and prosecuted Carlton Jones?
Jack B. Johnson: As you know, I have already publicly stated that I have a grave concerns about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. I probably would have handled it differently.
Germantown, Maryland:
My question is about the trial boards that suppose to be open to the public. What can you do as the State's Attorney to advertise to the public hearings? As taxpayers we have a right to exercise our votes against police offiicers.
Jack B. Johnson: As you know, I am the State's Attorney and as such I have no authority over the police department or any civilian review board. These functions are under the direct control of the County Executive. I do believe that there is a need for a strong civilian review board that would have access to all information. All information provided to this review board should be made available to the public.
Mitchellville, Maryland:
As a resident of the County, I am completely outraged by the recent reports of Police misconduct, brutality, etc. I am anxious to know how the County plans to address these on-going issues. Have we considered adopting the Principles for Promoting Police Integrity? Could you offer some insight on the role of the County - Citizen Complaint and Oversight Committee? It seems that they are missing the boat!
Jack B. Johnson: In recent years the County has had two task forces on police accountability. These task forces have made duplicate recommendations for reform within the department. Many of these recommendations have not been implemented. I would add that many of the recommendations were not strong or thorough enough. I do believe that some of these recommendations need to be implemented, but ultimately the police department can not be reformed by the task force recommendations alone. Leadership must come from the top and must demand changes and insist on reform. As you know, I have been speaking out on these issues for seven years with little or no support from the political establishment of this County.
Clinton, MD.:
Is it legal for the Prince George's Police to take pictures of African-American teenagers who are just walking down the street and not committing crimes? The Prince George's Police stationed at the Clinton station are doing this and maintaining an archive of young men. They took a picture of my son when he was just walking down the street and I went to the stationed and demanded the picture and got it. They told me that your office said they can do this. If a citizen is under investigation I could understand this, but this sounds like a violation of these boys civil rights.
Jack B. Johnson: It is not illegal to take a picture of any person in the public. But I have no knowledge and have not authorized the police department to maintain files on individuals who they photograph on the street.
washingtonpost.com:
To everyone asking for an online discussion with Wayne K. Curry: The county executive has declined washingtonpost.com's invitation for a discussion.
Greenbelt, Maryland:
Would you support the appoint of a special prosecutor whenever there is a question regarding a death in custody or a fatal shooting?
Jack B. Johnson: I do not support the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle these kinds of cases. This office has demonstrated that we have the ability and the will to prosecute officers when we have sufficient evidence to do so. As I have pointed out in the past, the problem is the blue wall of silence in that we have to rely on the police department to investigate themselves. Obviously, this process of self investigation has not worked well and needs to be reformed. As I have previously stated, I believe the answer may lie in the creation of a truly independent force investigation unit within the department that reports directly to the chief.
Mitchellville, Maryland:
Aside from the disturbing accounts of routine violence, the recent stories by the Post detail verifiable and widespread patterns of lying by the homicide division and the police force in general. As a prosecutor with a duty to do justice, how to you intend to deal with this?
Jack B. Johnson: As you probably know, the law requires that the prosecutor fully disclose to the defendent any information which may tend to negate guilt. The law also requires us to vouch for the credibility of police witnesses and to present truthful testimony and truthful evidence. Although I do not believe that lying is widespread, we have had some problems in this area. Recently, I have issued an order to my attorneys requiring them not to use the testimony of four officers because we learned that these officers had lied in their official capacities. The problem that we have is that the police have not notified us when they have determined that an officer has lied. I believe that the police department is obligated to terminate officers who are not truthful. In fact, in February of this year, I wrote a letter to the chief informing him that the immediate disclosure of findings of untruthfulness must be disclosed and the disclosure must be made to me personally.
Suitland Maryland:
In the case of Elmer Newman, if there is evidence that officers lied about accounts surrounding his death are you willing to re-open the case? The initial police account of events never mentioned Mr. Newman had a knife. The knife was not brought up during the grand jury hearing, the initial investigation, during the search of the apartment, in the initial reports given to your office, so how is it that it is mention almost one year later? It seems that this would have been a key point in the initial investigation.
Jack B. Johnson: My position is clear that if new evidence that is sufficient and credible comes to light, I must re-open the case. My staff is reviewing the articles and all cases mentioned will be re-examined.
Upper Marlboro, MD:
What efforts have been made to protect the citizens of Prince George's County from those who have been sworn to protect the citizens of Prince George's County? Are there any consequences for officers for shooting unarmed and mentally ill citizens? Why is there a 10 day grace period for officers to get their story straight when they will interrogate a suspect for more than 50 hours stright?
Jack B. Johnson: As you probably will recall, I expressed my frustration after the Newman investagion failed to answered important questions. I stated that the problem was the blue wall of silence, which unfortunately is essentially codified in the law enforcement bill of rights (LEOBR) and the LEOBR provides for the 10 day grace period. Any changes will have to be done through legislation in Annapolis.
washingtonpost.com:
That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online for more on the Prince George's police
shootings series:
Police
and the Mentally Ill Tuesday at 1 p.m. EDT
Criminal
Justice Professor James Fyfe Tuesday at 3 p.m. EDT
Prince
George's NAACP Thursday at 11 a.m. EDT
Police
Training Methods Thursday at 11:30 a.m. EDT
Political Activist Alvin L. Thornton Thursday at 1 p.m. EDT
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