National Bar Association Applauds the Decision of Ferguson’s Police Department in Releasing Officer’s Name

WASHINGTON, DC — Two days after receiving demands from the National Bar Association and other civil rights group, the Ferguson Police Department has made a decision to release the name of the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. The officer has been identified as Darren Wilson.

“This decision is a step in the right direction and should provide the citizens of Ferguson with the transparency and fairness they’ve demanded,” stated Pamela Meanes, President of the National Bar Association.

The decision to release the name of the officer also comes a day after Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol and State Troopers were brought in to take over from the Ferguson Police Department and the St. Louis County Police. Capt. Johnson is black and is from the Northern County of St. Louis. The appointment of Capt. Johnson should provide some relief for the citizens of Ferguson after four days of tension and protest.
 
President Meanes stated, “The quick action of the National Bar Association, the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights group provided the National Bar Association President-Elect Benjamin Crump and National Bar member Anthony Gray, co-counsel for Michael Brown’s family, with the legal support they needed to get what the family has demanded for the last four days”.

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