Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson Will Face No Civil Rights Charges; Investigation Into Police Department Continues

Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, has been the subject of a Justice Department investigation since a Grand Jury chose not to indict him on criminal charges for the case. The Justice Department was to determine whether or not the officer should face civil rights charges, and on Wednesday, officials said that the recommendation would be to seek no charges. The statement is not official yet, but should be soon.

The New York Times reports that the Justice Department will seek no charges against Darren Wilson, and notes that such a conviction would not be easy to obtain, if it was sought — it would require showing intent, on Wilson’s part, to deprive Brown of civil rights.

Statements were given to the New York Times on condition of anonymity, as the decision is not yet official, but the law enforcement officials who spoke said that a memo recommending not to seek charges has been begun. It’s also promised that an explanation of the decision will be released before Attorney General Eric Holder leaves office.

A lawyer for Michael Brown’s family has addressed the issue only by saying that they will withhold comment until it is official, calling the news mere speculation.

Michael Brown's family has issued the following statement to #STL media following the #NYT article http://ift.tt/1xZvmnD

— FOX2now (@FOX2now) January 21, 2015

Protests have continued in the Ferguson area, and across the country, since the shooting, and the nation has been openly and vocally divided on the case.

However, it should be noted that the Ferguson officer’s investigation is only part of the story. The police force is still under investigation for allegations of inequal treatment, including racial disparity in traffic stops and arrests. The Washington Post also reports that one police lieutenant has been fired from the force for telling officers to target black citizens. The department has faced further civil rights complaints due to treatment of protesters.

Though the Justice Department is said to be closing its investigation into Darren Wilson’s actions, the investigation into the department continues.

[Photo: West Midlands Police]

Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson Will Face No Civil Rights Charges; Investigation Into Police Department Continues