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D.H.S. Won’t Name Agents Who Kill. Local Police Agencies Are More Open.
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has declined to release the names of officers involved in high-profile shootings, contradicting longstanding federal advice promoting transparency in such cases.
- This secrecy extends to withholding information from other law enforcement agencies, as exemplified by a lawsuit from St. Paul, Minnesota, officials seeking details about immigration officers involved in a controversial incident.
- DHS cites concerns about the safety of officers and their families, fearing violent retaliation, although documented physical harm to officers after fatal encounters remains rare.
- Policies on officer identification vary widely, with at least six of the nation's largest police departments routinely releasing names of officers involved in shootings within days or weeks.
