A former FBI Criminal Investigative Division deputy director, celebrated for his work in Afghanistan and at two winter Olympics, charged Thursday that Attorney General Eric Holder’s expected civil rights probe of the Ferguson, Mo., police department is a political sham.
Ron Hosko, former assistant director CID, said in a statement to Secrets that Holder’s real goal is to “influence the grand jurors” who will be investigating the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, by a white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9.
“This announcement and the activities that follow suggest a more political agenda — that the department has already reached conclusions and is unconcerned about Officer Wilson’s legal fate. Such a conclusion can only have a chilling effect on the thousands of law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities,” said Hosko in the statement.
Hosko was just named president of the Alexandria, Va.-based Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, which provides legal help to police.
He also slapped Holder for mounting a war against the nation’s police with an unusual number of investigation into forces, highlighted by the Ferguson probe, first reported by the Washington Post.
“These efforts are not without consequence. They can unnecessarily cast doubt, reinforce skepticism, and compromise cooperation between law enforcement and those living in the communities they serve. The vilification of police must end now – and it starts with the Obama administration supporting the due process that Officer Wilson is constitutionally guaranteed,” he said.
Hosko joined the FBI in 1984, worked violent crimes for years, and later had top roles during the Olympics in Salt Lake City and Turin, Italy, commanded FBI personnel in Afghanistan and was also worked in the Washington Field Office.
His full statement:
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Ron Hosko, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director and President of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, responded to reports that the Department of Justice would pursue an investigation of the practices of the Ferguson, Missouri Police Department, saying:
“The Justice Department’s announcement today raises serious questions about the department’s true intentions. The timing of this announcement, followed by the Attorney General’s visit to Ferguson and the attendance of White House representatives at Mr. Brown’s funeral service can only serve to influence the grand jurors and/or potential trial jurors. The department’s actions should be colorblind and reinforce the rule of law. This announcement and the activities that follow suggest a more political agenda – that the department has already reached conclusions and is unconcerned about Officer Wilson’s legal fate. Such a conclusion can only have a chilling effect on the thousands of law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities.
“As the Washington Post notes, Attorney General Holder has ordered twice as many investigations of law enforcement than any of his predecessors. This is an unfortunate, disturbing, and growing trend for the Obama Administration’s Justice Department.
“These efforts are not without consequence. They can unnecessarily cast doubt, reinforce skepticism, and compromise cooperation between law enforcement and those living in the communities they serve. The vilification of police must end now – and it starts with the Obama Administration supporting the due process that Officer Wilson is constitutionally guaranteed.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
