Not Necessarily Racist

The police in New York who killed a black man suspected of illegal cigarette sales may not hate African-Americans. Even so, the conduct of the cops was so reckless and disproportionate to the alleged offense that they should be fired. Those officers who participated in the fatal take down or were present but failed to intervene to prevent the death should be banned from working in law enforcement in the future. They should be pursued by the decedent's survivors in civil court. If even a tinge of racism is ferreted out by the Justice Department, then Federal civil rights charges should be brought. Law enforcers can not be allowed to become judge, jury, and executioner in this country, particularly over such a minor offense as selling a loose cigarette.