Police union sees no reason for U.S. Attorney to review Deloatch case
NEW BRUNSWICK The union representing the city’s Police Departnment thinks a
decision by a grand jury not to indict the two officers involved in the fatal
shooting of Barry Deloatch should be enough. The union doesn’t think the U.S.
Attorney’s Office needs to investigate the Sept. 22 incident.
“Recent media reports have suggested that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is
considering a review of the recent grand jury decision not to bring forth an
indictment of the two New Brunswick police officers involved in the fatal
shooting of suspect Barry Deloatch,” New Brunswick PBA 23/23A President Michael
Sutton said in a news release.
“The grand jury’s decision not to bring charges against these officers
after a thorough and extensive review of the facts should have brought closure
to this issue and should have been the first step in the process of getting
these officers back to work.”
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan has said the grand jury’s review
will withstand the scrutiny of any state or federal agency.
“As always, we respect the work of the grand jury in this matter,” said
Rebekah Carmichael, U.S. Attorney’s Office public affairs officer. “We will
evaluate the facts to determine whether a federal investigation is warranted.”
The lawyers representing the Deloatch family are awaiting the documentation
and evidence from the Prosecutor’s Office investigation that led to the grand
jury’s decision not to indict the two police officers, Brad Berdel and Daniel
Mazan.
The union criticized what it considers the exploitation of Deloatch’s
death.