US Should Conduct Nationwide Police Dep't Investigations - Rights Group

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Department of Justice (DOJ) findings that confirmed racial bias in the Ferguson, Missouri Police Department and court indicate the United States needs to conduct police department investigations nationwide, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR) said in a statement.

“After a similar investigation found deep-seated bias in the operations of Cleveland’s police department late last year, it’s clear that these investigations are necessary nationwide to ensure that police are serving and protecting their communities, not victimizing them,” the statement, released on Wednesday, said.

LCCHR added it was disappointed that the DOJ will not charge Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed African-American teenager Michael Brown in August 2014.

The DOJ said on Wednesday it had decided not to pursue federal civil rights charges against Wilson for lack of evidence.

The 100-page DOJ investigative report into Ferguson law enforcement practices revealed many instances of excessive force directed in almost 90 percent of the cases against African Americans.

LCCHR is a US umbrella organization for civil rights groups that coordinates their lobbying efforts.