Decoded Season 8 Episode 2 Why Prosecuting Police is Almost Impossible
- August 4, 2020
In the season 8 episode 2 of Decoded titled "Why Prosecuting Police is Almost Impossible," the team explores the issue of police accountability and the difficulties in prosecuting police officers who have been involved in deadly incidents. The episode delves into the high-profile cases of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Freddie Gray to illustrate the systemic issues that plague the justice system when it comes to holding police officers accountable.
The episode features interviews with legal experts, civil rights activists, and former prosecutors who weigh in on the challenges of indicting and convicting police officers who have used excessive force. It highlights the ways in which the legal and political systems have created roadblocks to justice, including qualified immunity, lack of transparency, and bias in the justice system. The team also explores the role of police unions in defending officers and obstructing investigations, as well as the impact of police misconduct on communities of color.
Throughout the episode, Decoded unpacks the legal and cultural obstacles that prevent accountability and transparency in police departments. It explores the history of police brutality in America, including the origins of modern-day policing and the ways in which police have been used to perpetuate racial inequality. The episode underscores how the lack of consequences for police officers who use excessive force perpetuates a culture of impunity that erodes trust in law enforcement and threatens public safety.
By the end of the episode, the team concludes that prosecuting police officers for deadly incidents is almost impossible under current laws and procedures. The episode challenges viewers to consider what true police reform would look like, and how we can create a more just and equitable system that holds police officers accountable for their actions.