Former Velda City, Missouri, Police Officers Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations

According to the United States Department of Justice in a recent press release former police officers serving for Velda City, Missouri have been sentenced for civil rights violations.

You hear it everyday. Top officials who are supposed to be enforcing laws are actually breaking them as well. The sentencing for a new similar case has taken place today for two police officers out of Missouri.

Sentenced today were former Sergeant Lewis McGee as well as Mark Winger, a former Velda City Police Department Detective. In a federal court in St. Louis, bother were charged for conspiring to violate the civil rights of a jailed man. They both will now have to serve 12 months or one year in prison.

"Most law enforcement officials perform their duties professionally and appropriately," said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "When officers violate the law instead of enforcing it, the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute them."

"Fortunately, most police officers approach their jobs professionally. But when those few who step across the line use excessive force against citizens, they have to be held accountable," said Catherine L. Hanaway, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. "In this case, not only have they tarnished their law enforcement careers, they are the ones going to jail."

How did these officers violate the civil rights of a jailed man? The incident actually occurred a little over a year ago on July 31, 2006. Both officers physically assaulted the jailed man at their Northwoods Police Department while they were supposed to be on duty as professional police officers. The jailed victim received injuries as McGee made his way into the man's cell holding him against the wall of the cell with his foot as his fellow officer, Winger, beat the man severely with his fists and knee.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice and is just one more case in the books of law officials taking advantage of their powers. In the year 2006, there were many cases filed by the Criminal Section and over 50% of them involved law enforcement misconduct or excessive force. This case is a prime example. And these are not the only surprising statistics. Since the year 2001, there haven been 25% similar cases filed and of the defendants, more than 50% have been convicted compared to the previous six years. This is so sad that this can take place in America.

SOURCE

United States Department of Justice, PRnewswire