PITTSBURGH — The NAACP announced on Tuesday that the civil rights organization has asked that Department of Justice investigate death of Jim Rogers, a Black man who died after he was tased and arrested by Pittsburgh police in October 2021.
On Friday, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a letter Rogers’ arrest and death was “deeply troubling,” and said without a DOJ inquiry, the officers involved in the incident would not be held accountable.
Officer Keith Edmonds is accused of using a stun gun on Rogers multiple times. Police body camera video released in January showed the officers did not immediately take Rogers to a nearby hospital for car despite his repeated requests for help.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Public Safety department confirmed Edmonds was reinstated, reported KDKA-Pittsburgh. According to the police union, Edmonds will also receive full back pay and benefits dating back to his termination on March 24, KDKA reported.
Following Rogers’ death, five officers were fired. Three of those officers, including Edmonds, have returned to the police. One of the terminated officers is facing arbitration and the fifth officer retired.
Last year, the city settled with Rogers’ family for $8 million.
On Friday, the NAACP Pittsburgh chapter said the decision to reinstate Edmonds “has sparked justified outrage and profound disappointment.”
The NAACP Pittsburgh branch reach out to the national office of the NAACP regarding the deadly police encounter.
No officers have been charged in connection with Rogers’ death.
More on the controversial reinstatement, and tasing of Rogers.
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