Ferguson Police Won’t Release Name of Officer that Killed Michael Brown

[Katashi_itto]

Protestors in Ferguson, Missouri, denouncing Michael Brown’s death at the hands of a police officer have made requests. A group known as The Ad Hoc Committee for Justice on Behalf of Michael Brown has handed out flyers with four demands:

The officer involved in the shooting death of Michael Brown be IMMEDIATELY identified.
The same officer should be immediately fired and charged with murder.
The Ferguson Police Department “Protocol Handbook” be distributed throughout the Ferguson community.
The racial composition of the Ferguson Police Department should reflect the racial demographics of the community.
It’s unclear if the officer involved in the shooting will be terminated or charged, if the department’s handbook will be made available to the public, or if police department employees will engage in any meaningful discussions about race. But the first demand, to know the name of the officer who killed Brown, seems doable.

Ferguson’s police chief, Thomas Jackson, promised reporters that his office would release the name of the officer that killed 18-year-old Michael Brown by noon local time on Tuesday. Apparently he’s changed his mind. Time reports that, citing safety concerns, officer Timothy Zoll says the department is declining to make the officer’s name public:

http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/08/ferguson_police_wont_release_name_of_officer_that_killed_michael_brown.html

[Mmm_Lager]

1. There is an overt threat against the officer...

Why would the department put him or his family in danger?

Whatever he deserves, it isn't street justice or vengeance...

[Sunlei]

3. most all people who murder have their name public, why are police exempt?

[whistler162]

4. When they are arrested.

not while the investigation is on going.

Perhaps, you would prefer the officers name released and then anyone in the area with a similar name can start receiving death threats etal.. Even if they have ZERO relationship to the officer!

Probably the first correct decision by the Police Chief in many a year.

[Mmm_Lager]

5. At this time he hasn't been charged...

If or when he is then the name will be released.

[Sunlei]

6. we have a F-ed up society when ALL deaths & injuries are not treated equally in our PUBLIC courts.

That includes any deaths/injuries in our prisons.

Police departments and Prison 'Owners' should not be the ones who decide if any death/injuries are chargeable crimes.

At the least, any deaths/injuries should go in front of a grand jury of local citizens immediately.

[Mmm_Lager]

7. A case like this shouldn't go up before a local group...

Emotions are running too high and this is when the dispassionate application of law is required.

[Sunlei]

2. police who kill should be charged with murder and then have their defense in the court system.

In public, in front of a Judge and Jury.

[morningfog]

8. Surely there is a way to identify him.

Police rolls are likely public or obtainable. See who is in duty, call other officers and start askin questions. Get photos on all the cops in the unit and have witnesses ID him.