Congressman Elijah Cummings
Respect for human life is at the core of our Constitution. It is the cornerstone of America’s legal system and the social glue that holds our diverse society together.
This is why for us — and, especially, for our young people — respect for human life must be the “North Star” in our continuing struggle for civil rights.
Most police officers understand the importance of respecting the lives of those whom they are honor bound to protect and defend. Yet, troubling evidence exists — both nationally and here in Baltimore — that some police officers are failing to fulfill their most important duty.
In this vein, we cannot rest until the whole truth about the mortal injury of Freddie Gray while in police custody is revealed.
As a lawyer, I have guarded confidence that a fair and deliberate process leading to a full revelation of the facts associated with Mr. Gray’s injury and death can lead to justice for all concerned.
We also must redouble our efforts to achieve significant reforms in the laws and practices under which all police officers utilize force. Here in Maryland, the American Civil Liberties Union has made a major contribution toward achieving those reforms.
Learning that neither Maryland nor federal law enforcement tracked police-involved deaths, the ACLU performed its own analysis — and on March 18 of this year, the organization released its report.
Their factual findings are a call to action for public safety agencies, elected officials and citizens alike. Here are the facts that the ACLU analysis reveals:
The Deaths
Between 2010 and 2014, at least 109 people died in police encounters in Baltimore City and 17 of Maryland’s counties. Beyond that troubling number of casualties, it is important to emphasize that 41 percent of those who died (45 people) were not armed with a weapon of any kind.
However, 38 percent of those who died (41 people) appeared to be suffering from medical or mental health issues, disability, substance use or similar concerns.
Racial Disparities
Although Americans of Color make up about 29 percent of Maryland’s population, 75 people or 69 percent of those who died in police encounters were Black.
The rate at which African Americans died in police encounters was five times that of Whites. The number of unarmed African Americans who died (36 people) exceeded the total number of all Caucasians who died (30 people), armed or not. That is a minority rate of death ten times that of Whites.
Accountability
In our community and others, we have a great deal of respect for police officers. However, we also have a right to insist upon accountability for the manner in which our police undertake their duties.
In this regard, the ACLU’s analysis is noteworthy. Police officers were criminally charged in less than two percent (2 cases) of the 109 police-involved deaths.
Federal Action
This was the underlying context in which I joined Maryland Senators Mikulski and Cardin, along with Representatives Sarbanes and Ruppersberger, in requesting a federal criminal and civil rights investigation into the death of Mr. Gray — and I am hopeful that the U.S. Department of Justice investigation will lead to justice for Mr. Gray’s family.
In the broader context, Congress must remain engaged in the process of reforming our criminal justice system – both nationally and here in Maryland. Toward that end, our House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, has agreed to my request, as ranking member, to hold a hearing on criminal justice reform.
At a minimum, we must assure that our government agencies are collecting the right information so we can better understand how our criminal justice system must change — especially with respect to law enforcement’s use of force.
Accurate and more comprehensive information is the greatest ally of justice. We must continue our fight for full funding of the National Violent Death Reporting System and push the U.S. Department of Justice to improve its reporting on excessive force.
The truth is the most powerful defender of both innocence and public safety. Real-time documentation of police encounters serves both our people and the police officers who are duty-bound to protect us.
This is why I have joined my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to introduce the Police CAMERA Act, federal legislation that, building upon President Obama’s actions, would expand federal grants to law enforcement agencies for body-worn cameras.
Clearly, these are first steps, but they are immediately achievable — and they will provide a strong foundation for our continuing struggle to achieve a more just society.
A disciplined search for the truth is a civil rights reform that all Americans should welcome and support.
Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.