Read Full Article (PDF)
Introduction
This Article argues that, with the once-unheard-of step of prosecutors and police unionizing together in St. Louis, and with relationships between prosecutors and police trending toward growing closer all the time, government at all levels—federal, state, and lo- cal—should consider the potential risks of such relationships. Part I explores different types of relationships that go beyond what was once the traditional working relationship between police and prosecutors, including formalized labor unions, employee association groups, friendships, and even marriages. Part II discusses the varying conflicts and deleterious effects that such close relationships cause, unduly influencing investigation priorities and other policies. Part III theorizes as to different steps that may be taken to alleviate the risks inherent in overly cozy relationships between police and prosecutors.
Maybell Romero*
*Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University College of Law. J.D., 2006, U.C. Berkeley School of Law; B.A., 2003, Cornell University. Many thanks to Kay Levine, Ron Wright, Ben Levin, Bruce Green, Jennifer Laurin, Miriam Cherry, Jeremy Kidd, Heidi Kuehl, Carliss Chatman, Sarah Fox, Kali Nicole Murray, and attendees at both the 2019 Criminal Justice Ethics Schmooze and CrimFest 2019. The author is especially grateful to the editors and staff of the University of Richmond Law Review, who were kind enough to show me infinite patience during challenging times, particularly with the outbreak of the COVID- 19 pandemic.