Jude Beating Charges Show Need for Police Reform
March 1, 2005
Yesterday the Milwaukee County District Attorney charged three white
Milwaukee police officers with felonies for their alleged involvement
in the mob beating of Frank Jude, an African-American man, last October.
The felony complaint sets out chilling details - including statements
by some police department members that other officers kicked and punched
Jude in the face, back and groin, and, with a knife at his neck, threatened
to kill him.
However, DA E. Michael McCann did not issue charges against numerous
other officers allegedly involved in Jude’s beating and in the attack
on one of Jude’s companions, Lovell Harris. McCann also declined
to seek a hate crime penalty enhancement. Both Jude and Harris reported
that the officers used racial slurs against them during the attacks.
“It appears that racist attitudes played a role in the beating
of Frank Jude,” said ACLU of Wisconsin Legal Director Laurence Dupuis.
“The Department and the District Attorney must confront the deep-seated
bias that remains among too many members of the force.”
Milwaukee Police Chief Nanette Hegerty had said she was waiting for the
District Attorney to act before she began an internal investigation.
“An investigation is necessary, but it is not enough,” Dupuis
stated. The Jude beating, September’s police shooting of an 18 year
old mentally ill man, and January’s police shooting of a 36 year
old mentally ill Hmong man all show that the department must take strong
action to protect the rights of persons of color and disabled persons.
“The department must undertake far more rigorous training on, and
enforcement of, civil rights protections. Officers also need more extensive
training for dealing with mentally disabled persons,” said Dupuis.
The ACLU of Wisconsin also urges that serious consideration be given
to establishing independent investigative authorities, such as civilian
review boards or special prosecutors, with adequate powers and resources
to investigate allegations of police misconduct.
“The public puts its safety and security in the hands of the police
officers who patrol our streets,” added Dupuis. “All Milwaukee
residents must be assured that those officers will protect our safety,
not invade our rights.”
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