The Dallas Communities Organizing for Change (DCOC) has put together a compelling argument for the Department of Justice to
investigate the Dallas Police Department.
In a formal filing made Thursday with the U.S. Attorneys Office, the group Dallas Communities Organizing for Change alleges he DPD has a pattern of abuse and racially based excessive force.
According to the group, the truth is all about data and the numbers tell the story. There have been more than a dozen DPD involved shootings so far this year and the percentages disproportionately involve black and Latino victims.
Here are some of the distressing numbers from
their report:
- Between July 2002 and July 2013 there were 185 officer involved shootings reported by DPD. 58 of those shootings resulted in fatality. 36 of the 185 victims were unarmed.
- 33 of those who died at the hands of Dallas Police within the ten year period were African American, representing 56.89% of all fatalities. This is more than double the population density according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
- There were 127 non-fatal shootings involved shootings within the ten year period, with 112, or 89.97% of those targeting African Americans and Hispanics. This is 21.62% above the combined population density for both demographics.
- In eight of the 10 years reported, communities consistently suffered non-fatal shootings at twice population density, and in many cases much higher. For example in 2003 and 2009, 91.67% of all non-fatal shootings involved African Americans and Hispanics.
- In 2006, 2007, and 2011, all non-fatal shootings involved communities of color.
- African Americans and Hispanic fatalities combined account for 43, or 74.13% of fatal officer involved shootings. This is 48.27% higher than White fatalities.
- From 1991 to 2012, DPD reported 51 Death in Custody cases. Of those 35, or 68.62% were African American, almost triple representation in the population.
What might the DOJ be able to do? Well, bring some charges, and in doing so, some changes to
business as usual.
Colette Flanagan’s son was killed by Dallas police. She calls some of the shootings over the past year “unwarranted and illegal” and believes the actions may be fueled by a lack of consequences for officers. “When you have 40 years since the last time an officer was indicted for shooting and killing an unarmed person in this city, that’s a deadly pattern,” she said.
What's allegedly happening in Dallas has ben happening all across our country. Hopefully some positive changes can come out of all of this terror.