Santifort was charged in connection with the death of Alexander Thompson, who died after Santifort tased him, according to the (Raleigh) News & Observer.
Six months ago, North Carolina was in the national spotlight because of another officer-involved killing — Akiel Denkins was shot four times by officer D.C. Twiddy, who claimed he shot Denkins out of fear.
North Carolina’s 2016 officer-involved deaths are similar to other major cases that held the nation’s attention for months.
They have all raised major questions about the criminal justice system and how police departments are managed, reviewed and disciplined.
Increasing community policing and introducing body cameras have emerged as popular solutions to officer-involved killings, with police departments in the Raleigh-Durham area pushing on both of these fronts.
In terms of community policing and getting community members to know their law enforcement officers, the Durham Police Department and Durham Parks and Recreation sponsor the Police Athletic League. This free-of-charge program brings together law enforcement and youth.
Durham and Fayetteville police departments both participated in the nationwide ‘Running Man Challenge,’ which typically involves police officers dancing with community members.
Local cities are also making moves toward body cameras. Chapel Hill’s police department started using body cameras this fall, and Raleigh approved body camera use in March.
