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Protests forcing change in policing

On Tuesday, in a swift aftermath to the shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center on Sunday, the officer involved in the shooting resigned, as did the police chief, who had termed the shooting a day earlier as an “accidental discharge.” Chances are likely that criminal charges may be filed today in the shooting.

This contrasts with the usual aftermath of disputed police shootings in the past. A few years ago, such an event would have the officer on administrative leave while a weeks-long departmental investigation was held, leading to prosecutors taking more time to decide on whether to charge the officer.

That all changed with the death of George Floyd last May. We don’t know if rushing to prosecute within days is preferable to waiting months for a grand jury’s decision not to indict, but it is indicative that city governments and police departments have been taking notice of the protests and outrage that these events are sparking.

This latest death, over a stop for expired license plate tabs, is likely to push more changes in policing.

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