How to fix our police departments

By Hank Johnson and Michael Shank

Updated 2106 GMT (0506 HKT) March 12, 2015

Ferguson activists march through downtown St. Louis during a protest on Saturday, March 14. The Ferguson Police Department has been under fire since one of its officers, Darren Wilson, shot and killed African-American teen Michael Brown in August, and more recently since a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report documented a pattern of racial discrimination.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Ferguson activists march through downtown St. Louis during a protest on Saturday, March 14. The Ferguson Police Department has been under fire since one of its officers, Darren Wilson, shot and killed African-American teen Michael Brown in August, and more recently since a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report documented a pattern of racial discrimination.
Hide Caption
1 of 24
A protester with a taped mouth marches through downtown St. Louis on March 14.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
A protester with a taped mouth marches through downtown St. Louis on March 14.
Hide Caption
2 of 24
St. Louis police arrest a demonstrator in St. Louis on March 14.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
St. Louis police arrest a demonstrator in St. Louis on March 14.
Hide Caption
3 of 24
Ferguson, Missouri, Mayor James Knowles joins business owners to speak to the press outside a restaurant on March 14 in Ferguson, Missouri. The business owners called the press conference to explain how the constant protests in the town have been detrimental to business.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Ferguson, Missouri, Mayor James Knowles joins business owners to speak to the press outside a restaurant on March 14 in Ferguson, Missouri. The business owners called the press conference to explain how the constant protests in the town have been detrimental to business.
Hide Caption
4 of 24
Suzanne Del Rosario pauses as she visits the memorial at the location of the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on March 15.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Suzanne Del Rosario pauses as she visits the memorial at the location of the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on March 15.
Hide Caption
5 of 24
Demonstrators visit a memorial to Michael Brown on Friday, March 13, in Ferguson, Missouri.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Demonstrators visit a memorial to Michael Brown on Friday, March 13, in Ferguson, Missouri.
Hide Caption
6 of 24
Demonstrators voice support for the Ferguson mayor and police outside the police station, on March 13.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Demonstrators voice support for the Ferguson mayor and police outside the police station, on March 13.
Hide Caption
7 of 24
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles (second from right) talks with a reporter across the street from the police station on March 13.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles (second from right) talks with a reporter across the street from the police station on March 13.
Hide Caption
8 of 24
Crime scene tape used to secure the area after two officers were shot outside the Ferguson police station, sits in a trash can on March 13.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Crime scene tape used to secure the area after two officers were shot outside the Ferguson police station, sits in a trash can on March 13.
Hide Caption
9 of 24
A pedestrian walks past a boarded-up furniture store March 13 in Ferguson. Some businesses in the city haven't reopened since last fall's riots, though a number continue to operate despite being boarded up.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
A pedestrian walks past a boarded-up furniture store March 13 in Ferguson. Some businesses in the city haven't reopened since last fall's riots, though a number continue to operate despite being boarded up.
Hide Caption
10 of 24
People take part in a candlelight vigil Thursday, March 12, in Ferguson, Missouri.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
People take part in a candlelight vigil Thursday, March 12, in Ferguson, Missouri.
Hide Caption
11 of 24
St. Louis County police Lt. Jerry Lohr walks through a crowd of protesters in Ferguson on March 12, trying to get them to move out of the street. The St. Louis County police said it had assumed "command of the security detail regarding protests," together with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
St. Louis County police Lt. Jerry Lohr walks through a crowd of protesters in Ferguson on March 12, trying to get them to move out of the street. The St. Louis County police said it had assumed "command of the security detail regarding protests," together with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Hide Caption
12 of 24
Demonstrators shout slogans during ongoing protests in Ferguson on March 12. Organizers say protests have continued for more than 200 days since Brown's killing.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Demonstrators shout slogans during ongoing protests in Ferguson on March 12. Organizers say protests have continued for more than 200 days since Brown's killing.
Hide Caption
13 of 24
Police respond after the two officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department early March 12.
Photos: Calls for calm in Ferguson after shooting
Police respond after the two officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department early Ma