Police officer Darren Wilson is "still a victim" despite a grand jury's not indicting him on charges of shooting an unarmed black teenager, says the president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund.
"While the legal system has exonerated officer Darren Wilson for his split-second decision on that August afternoon, he very much remains a victim of a politicized agenda that deemed him 'guilty until proven innocent,'" read a statement from Ron Hosko, former FBI assistant director and current president of the LELDF.
"Although he will walk free, his life has been forever changed, as he has been exploited in a cynical effort to turn civilians against cops in fulfillment of an anti-law enforcement agenda," Hosko said.
Hosko said President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and others have rushed to judgment to convict Wilson, who shot the unarmed young black man on Aug. 9 after he confronted him over walking in the street.
"The long-term effects of the politicization of this case are chilling," Hosko said, adding that statements by people in power have only served to divide the public.
"Contempt of law enforcement will do little to heal Ferguson or the rift it has highlighted in our country. Likewise, contempt by law enforcement officers for the people they are sworn to serve and protect is myopic and counterproductive," he said.
"We hope officer Wilson and his family remain safe during what is likely to be tumultuous fallout from this case and in resuming his law enforcement career if that is his desire," Hosko said.
"For law enforcement everywhere, the situation in Ferguson has served as a painful reminder of the perils police face in doing an already dangerous job."
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