Political Quotes

“as crime has increased, police have been given freer and freer rein. It is time to reign them in. That is the lesson of the New York City Diallo case. It is difficult to fault a racially integrated jury, but they have written only the first chapter. There are at least three more chapters to be written before we know who is at fault. Mr. Speaker, Chapter Number 2 must be written by the Justice Department. This is a classic case for Federal intervention, a horrendous police response resulting in the death of an innocent resident. There are, of course, no appeals in the criminal process. This case calls for a rapid response from the Justice Department. A civil rights investigation, as provided by law, is a vital check in a Federal system. Chapter 3 in this case must be written with a civil court suit. Even if a police attack is deemed not criminal, no civil society would condone such a response. Finally, there is a fourth chapter; and we must write that chapter. It should be entitled ``Do not send poorly trained police into our communities to protect us. They are a menace.''”