Darren Wilson cleared, Ferguson condemned in federal reports

Federal investigators cleared Ferguson, Mo., Police Officer Darren Wilson of wrongdoing in the shooting death of Michael Brown, even as they declared the department he worked for is rife with racism.

The U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the shooting found physical evidence and credible witnesses supported Wilson’s argument that he feared for his life when he opened fire on the unarmed teenager.

“Based on this investigation, the department has concluded that Darren Wilson’s actions do not constitute prosecutable violations,” the report said.

But report on racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department called its current practices discriminatory and unconstitutional and pushed for sweeping procedural changes. Federal officials announced 26 recommendations, including training officers in how to de-escalate confrontations and banning the use of ticketing and arrest quotas. Releasing the two reports together was most likely an attempt to curb community disappointment in the investigation of Wilson, after the original grand jury decision not to indict him sparked protests and demonstrations.

The decision to clear Wilson was not unexpected, but Brown family lawyer Benjamin Crump said his clients were very disappointed.

The 102-page racial bias report found the shooting occurred in an environment of systematic discrimination and mistreatment of African-Americans. The report included examples of racist emails between officers, who were never held accountable, and concluded black residents were disproportionately stopped and searched and subjected to excessive police force. The report also suggested the department’s lack of racial diversity—only four of the 54 officers are black—drove a wedge between the officers and the community they served.

Former St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch expressed some doubt about the ability of the Ferguson Police Department to make a comeback from the scathing report.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be possible because it’s going to be very expensive to comply with all of these reforms,” Fitch told local news station KMOV in St. Louis, suggesting the department may not have the chance to win back the community’s trust.

But if the department chooses to follow through on the recommendations, the future could include better officer supervision, improved recruiting and hiring practices, and more efficient ways to respond to misconduct complaints.

“It is time for Ferguson’s leaders to take immediate, wholesale, and structural corrective action,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said the Justice Department report “reflects a theme I’ve heard repeated over the past months in countless conversations and meetings: The need for greater understanding and respect between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”

Federal officials said Ferguson city leaders were cooperative and noted areas of positive change already occurring.

“It’s quite evident that change is coming down the pike. This is encouraging,” said John Gaskin III, a St. Louis community activist. “It’s so unfortunate that Michael Brown had to be killed. But in spite of that, I feel justice is coming.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.