Provide funds to states to hire independent prosecutors in cases of police using deadly force
Cases of alleged police misconduct are typically prosecuted by local prosecutors who work closely with police departments on a daily basis. A proposal would require that cases involving allegations of unjustified use of force or killing by police be handled by independent prosecutors with no prior relationship to the department involved.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
Because regular prosecutors need to maintain good relationships with police departments to prosecute ordinary cases, they often do not pursue charges against officers as aggressively as they would against other people. Many county prosecutors are elected officials who may choose to avoid prosecuting a police officer for political reasons. As a result, many officers who have allegedly unjustly injured or killed a person do not get charged. Independent prosecutors eliminate this conflict of interest and result in more justice.
Con Argument
When bringing in an outside prosecutor, there is a risk that whoever chooses the prosecutor might have a political agenda to look tough or to punish officers unfairly. An outside prosecutor may not be part of the community and would not be familiar with local context and conditions.
Source document: PoliceReformQuaire0720.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 78% | 73% | 85% | 12% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | July 2020 | 70% | 52% | 86% | 34% | favor |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
For cases in which a law enforcement officer has been charged with using deadly force, provide funds to states so they can hire an independent prosecutor, meaning they do not regularly work closely with the officer's department.
Program for Public Consultation — July 2020
Offer states federal funding to hire an independent prosecutor when investigating or charging a law enforcement officer for using deadly force. To receive this funding, the state must first put in place a policy requiring the use of an independent prosecutor in all such cases
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