Students will analyze the conflict that law enforcement officers pose when investigating one of their own. Because police officers have immunity, justification for not prosecuting is often given to the prosecution. The Botham Jean case is a perfect example of why law enforcement officers should not have the power to investigate their own. Even when an outside agency is involved, other corresponding conflicts arise and could put any potential case headed to trial in jeopardy. Students should be able to identify conflicts of interest in law enforcement and the reasons that investigating your own is not in the best interest of the case.
Write describing conflicts of interest in law enforcement addressing the following:
Research the Botham Jean case at the university library.
Discuss some of the conflicts of interest associated with this case.
Analyze the role of the initial prosecutor on the case and her reluctance to bring charges.
Provide an example of how the initial contact helped Amber Guyger’s case.
Provide at least 3 references to bolster your claim.
Sample Answer
The conflict of interest that arises when law enforcement officers investigate one of their own is a serious one. Police officers have a natural tendency to protect their own, and this can lead to them overlooking evidence or making decisions that are not in the best interests of justice.
In the Botham Jean case, for example, the initial prosecutor on the case, Kim Ogg, was reluctant to bring charges against Amber Guyger, the police officer who shot and killed Jean in his own apartment. Ogg had a close relationship with the police department, and she had even donated money to the department’s legal defense fund. This created a clear conflict of interest, and it ultimately led to Ogg recusing herself from the case.
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