Fatal shootings these days do not fall into apparent racial patterns. The officers are black and white, and the civilians are white, black and Asian alike. The Free Press examined more than two dozen police shootings in the 1990s. As in the Crenshaw case, union stewards go to shooting scenes. Typically, stewards silence officers involved until they meet with a union lawyer, who is present when the officers are questioned and when their statements are written up.
Prosecutors are hesitant to second-guess police officers who shoot.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says it reviews police shootings, but lawyers for shooting victims say the office is too willing to give officers the benefit of the doubt and then some. Haphazard record-keeping prevents the city from tracking police shootings and their cost. The city stonewalls efforts to scrutinize police shootings. The Police Department will not divulge basic information to the public, including investigation reports and whether officers were disciplined. Lawyers who specialize in police shooting lawsuits said some police shootings are clearly justified.