MI Police Refuse to Release the Name of the White Cop who Murdered Patrick Lyoya. Are Cops Really "Public Servants" if They are Uncontrollable by the Public and Have Unaccountable Power to Take Life?

From [HERE] Patrick Lyoya’s father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the White officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man.

But the police chief in Grand Rapids says he will only do so if the officer is charged in the April 4 shooting that followed a brief foot chase and a struggle over the officer’s Taser.

Eric Winstrom’s department is among those across the U.S. that have faced scrutiny for withholding identities of officers in cases where Black people were wounded or killed during interactions with police. Some have said it’s to protect the officers from retribution. Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officer’s name before charges are filed.

“I’m asking for the law to release his face, his image and his identification because I would love to know the person who has killed my son. I have the right,” Peter Lyoya said through a translator during an emotional news conference after video of the shooting of his son was released last week.

Andrew Shannon, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Peninsula Chapter and vice president for the SCLC Virginia State Unit, said police departments should treat officers who are under investigation like they would anyone else.

“They always report who the suspect is and they report who the victim is, except in cases of rape,” Shannon told The Associated Press. “There should be no special treatment when law enforcement are involved in these types of matters. They should want to demonstrate transparency and openness so everyone can be fully apprised of the process.”

Lyoya was facedown on the ground when an officer shot him in the back of the head while straddling Lyoya. The officer had stopped Lyoya for driving with a license plate that didn’t belong to the vehicle.

While Winstrom said he could not release the officer’s name, he did release videos of the shooting, citing a need for transparency. The officer could be heard repeatedly ordering Lyoya to “let go” of his Taser, at one point demanding: “Drop the Taser!”

Ben Crump, an attorney for Lyoya’s family, planned to release results of an independent autopsy on Tuesday.

Michigan State Police are investigating. The prosecutor who will determine whether the officer will face any charges has said not to expect a quick decision.

A Grand Rapids police spokeswoman said Monday in an email that a person’s name, age, other basic information and the charges against him can be released following an arrest or issuance of an arrest warrant.

“Not releasing the officer’s name is consistent with” the procedure, Jennifer Kalczuk wrote.

Ephraim Eaddy, spokesman for the agency, said it has concluded that officers’ names cannot be held back because they are public servants.

Crump, the Lyoyas’ attorney, said having the officer’s name would allow the family to find out more about him.

“We want to know his history,” Crump said last week. “I can guarantee you, they’re going to do everything in their power to try to learn the history of Patrick to assassinate his character.”