Katrina police officers jailed

Five former New Orleans police officers who shot six unarmed civilians, killing two, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have been jailed.



The prison terms range from six to 65 years for the shootings on the Danziger Bridge in September 2005.



Four of the officers were found guilty of firearms offences and the fifth was jailed for helping the cover-up.



The officers planted a gun and fabricated witnesses and false reports to make the shootings appear justified.



On September 4, 2005, the cops were among a dozen officers who responded to a radio call that police were being fired upon near the bridge.



They opened fire with assault rifles and a shotgun at an unarmed family walking on the bridge and at a man fleeing the scene.



However, the police claimed they had opened fire only after being threatened and that they had seen weapons in the hands of the victims.