The family of Alton Sterling, a Black man who was fatally shot during a 2016 altercation with police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement with the city. Neither officer involved in the shooting faced criminal charges. What are your thoughts?
Keith Smith, Washington, D.C.
And none of that money came from the cops that killed him. The citizens of Baton Rouge paid that out. Qualified immunity needs to go away.
Tamela Lee, Atlanta
No man’s life can amount to money.
Enni Nina, Washington, D.C.
Like I say each time, let officers carry malpractice insurance like every other profession where the risk to others is high. When an officer becomes uninsurable, they have to leave the force. And we taxpayers don’t have to keep footing the bill for such despicable people, most of whom are repeat offenders who had no business being police to begin with.
Dee Johnson, Laurel, Md.
I guess the taxpayers must’ve killed him since they’re footing the bill! They need to start taking these payments from the police retirement funds!
Malikka Caine, Sacramento, Calif.
I’m all for financial compensation, but the idea that cops aren’t affected by it bothers me. The very folks who protested are the taxpayers whose dollars are being used. It’s disgusting.
Compiled by Sarafina Wright
These rogue law enforcement agencies officers are nearly impossible to prosecute.You must get rid of qualified immunity.