DA Thompson’s Statements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 23, 2015

Statement of Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson on the Confirmation of

Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General

“I congratulate Loretta Lynch on her historic confirmation as Attorney General of the United States.  I had the honor to serve with Loretta in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  She’s an extraordinary prosecutor, possesses great integrity and will be relentless in protecting the interests of the American people. I have no doubt that Loretta will serve our nation with honor and distinction. As the first-ever African American woman to serve as Attorney General, this is also a proud moment in our country’s history.”

“As the duly elected District Attorney of Brooklyn, I am adamantly opposed to the request by the New York State Attorney General for authority to investigate and potentially prosecute alleged acts of police brutality. No one is more committed to ensuring equal justice under the law than I am.

“Moreover, acts of police brutality are not only crimes against the individual victim but also are attacks on the communities in which they occur. Therefore, local prosecutors who are elected to enforce the laws in those communities should not be robbed of their ability to
faithfully and fairly do so in cases where police officers shoot, kill or injure someone unjustly. The people of Brooklyn have voted for their District Attorney to keep them safe from all crimes, including those of police brutality. The Attorney General’s proposal would override their choice
– and that should not happen.”