Charlottesville Police Report sparks race discussion

A deep-seated mistrust of Charlottesville police within the black community so hampered the investigation into a recent police shooting, the city’s top prosecutor said, that the only option was to seek the appointment of a special grand jury with subpoena power. That jury cleared the officers of wrongdoing, but also returned an unusual 12-page report detailing ways to improve the city police department’s relationship with black residents. The case, Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Chapman said, highlights the wide racial divide that city police must work to overcome. “It literally became apparent that we were not going to be able to complete a comprehensive investigation unless we had the ability to make people appear and answer questions,” Chapman said. City officials, authorities and local black leaders said they agree with the report’s recommendations. Some pointed out that the case was just one of several racially divisive issues that have exploded in the past year or so, including a police policy of seeking DNA from black men in the hunt for a serial rapist and widespread criticism of Scottie Griffin, the black school superintendent. All agree there is a problem, but opinions differed on the degree to which race relations have suffered. [more]