Police-related violence and resisting arrest are the subjects of two new policies being implemented by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.
The first requires a special prosecutor from outside the County Prosecutor’s Office to handle all cases involving police officers engaging in violence with civilians.
The second requires the prosecutor’s office to review video recordings and all other relevant evidence before filing charges against someone for “resisting and obstructing” police officers.
County Prosecutor Eli Savit says they are committed to addressing these cases fully.
“I want to make sure that when we review these cases that we’ve got them right. That we’re reviewing all the evidence that could later come out,” Savit says.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton says there’s nothing in those policies that gives him pause, but the real issue will be how they are implemented.
“Are we implementing these things and executing them in a way that doesn’t have unintended consequences that undermine what we’re all trying to do: achieve equity and justice and secure public safety for Washtenaw County,” Clayton says.
The two policies are available in their entirety on the county’s website.
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— Taylor Pinson is a writer/reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him studio@wemu.org
