Every time an American dies in police custody, the federal government should immediately launch an investigation, Sen. Bernard Sanders said Sunday night at the Democratic presidential primary debate in Charleston, S.C.
“This is a reason for the U.S. Justice Department to get involved,” Mr. Sanders said, arguing the investigations should begin automatically after a man or woman dies while being held by law enforcement.
His comments were an allusion to the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody in Baltimore last year. Mr. Sanders stressed that any police officer who breaks the law must be held responsible and suggested a much larger role for the federal government.
According to a Washington Post survey, there were 965 fatal shootings of civilians by police in 2015 through Dec. 24. At least 90 of those people were unarmed.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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