New Richmond Police Chief Asks Justice Department to Investigate use of deadly force by Officers

7 People Killed by Richmond Police Since 2001

Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe has asked the U.S. Justice Department to review every case involving the use of deadly force by city police officers during the past five years. Monroe said he has asked the special litigation division to review the incidents to determine whether the police department's current training policies and its investigation of deadly force incidents are consistent with "acceptable practices and standards" in law enforcement. Seven people have been killed by city police using deadly force since 2001. "Part of this is to help assure the public that the department is not attempting to hide or protect any case involving a police officer," the chief said. "We only want to ensure that we have the utmost integrity and professionalism in our use-of-force policies and investigations." After five fatal police shootings between June 2001 and July 2002, former Police Chief André Parker promised a use-of-force study shortly after he took over in November 2002. Bids were solicited and received. But a year later, word came out that the study had been put on hold indefinitely upon the advice of the city attorney. Late last year, City Council appropriated some $35,000 of its budget surplus for another private use-of-force study. Monroe said in a recent interview that the federal government was better suited to the task and could do it for free. [more]

Family of Unarmed Black Man Shot to Death on his Front Porch by Richmond Police Brings Civil Suit
The request to the Justice Department also comes at a time when the department is under intense scrutiny for its performance in at least one lethal-shooting incident involving a Richmond police officer. The city, the police department, and several current and former members of the department are being sued in federal court by the family of Verlon Johnson, an unarmed suspect who was shot to death on his front porch by Detective David Melvin on May 17, 2002. Melvin was tried three times in the shooting. After two mistrials, he was acquitted by a Circuit Court judge in February 2004. Johnson's family filed suit in federal court in August. The civil trial is scheduled for July 7. Last week, an expert in police training hired by the plaintiff was deposed in the case. Charles J. Key Sr. -- a retired commanding officer of the firearms training unit of the Baltimore police department and former SWAT team supervisor -- also prepared a highly critical report of the Richmond department that was entered into evidence. "It is my opinion that the training of Richmond Police Officers in use of force and related areas is not consistent with accepted police standards and practices," concluded Key, who investigated 28 police shooting incidents. "Further, the training program is inadequate to the degree that it constitutes a deliberate disregard for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Richmond." [more] and [more]