The number had returned to 31 in 1994. Yet while public concern has risen over police killings, few cops ever pay a legal price, even in the most egregious cases of misconduct. This month, for instance, a Brooklyn grand jury cleared two cops who shot an unarmed man 18 times because he entered a stolen car. They said they mistook an anti-theft device in his hand called The Club for a gun. Somebody has to take this on.
Local politicians are too afraid or too corrupt.
Few observers expect authorities to charge the officers in the three recent cases. State police, who are conducting the investigation of Officer Flodquist's April 14 killing of Malik Jones, have in public comments echoed East Haven cops' argument that Flodquist acted in self-defense. Weeks into the investigation, they had yet to interview the passenger in Jones' car that evening, who contradicted the official police version. State's Attorney Michael Dearington won't comment on whether he'll eventually charge Flodquist. A cop is no different.