Consent Decree

Kenrya Rankin  Apr 18, 2017 10:33AM EDT

Jeff Sessions: Stop 'Handcuffing the Police Instead of the Criminals'

The United States attorney general wrote an op-ed for USA Today that lays out his plan for making neighborhoods “safe and peaceful.”
Kenrya Rankin  Apr 4, 2017 1:18PM EDT

DOJ to Review Agreements With Law Enforcement Agencies That Violated Civil Rights

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions: “It is not the responsibility of the federal government to manage non-federal law enforcement agencies.”
Black woman in suit speaks, two men stand behind her
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 13, 2017 3:52PM EST

DOJ: Chicago PD Uses Excessive Force in Communities of Color

The Department of Justice’s investigation was sparked by the death of Laquan McDonald at the hands of former officer Jason Van Dyke.
Black child holds black sign with white text reading "#ILoveBaltimore" while sitting on shoulders next to Black adults holding black signs with white text reading "#BlackLivesMatter" and "Justice for Freddie Gray" amidst yellow sun glare
Sameer Rao  Jan 12, 2017 12:15PM EST

Department of Justice, Baltimore Officials Reach Deal on Proposed Police Reforms

The city’s public spending board approved the consent decree, which now requires a U.S. District Court judge’s confirmation.
A brown bench with the following message written on it: "Baltimore: The Greatest City in America"
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 10, 2016 1:31PM EDT

DOJ: Baltimore Police Department Systemically Discriminates Against Black Citizens

“BPD … uses enforcement strategies that unlawfully subject African Americans to disproportionate rates of stops, searches and arrests.”
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 31, 2016 2:29PM EDT

DOJ Forces Overhaul of Newark's Racially Biased Police Department

The agency just reached an agreement with the city that calls for reform in 12 areas, including body-worn camera and use of force policies.
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 16, 2016 12:51PM EDT

Ferguson Leaders Reverse Course, Approve DOJ Agreement to Overhaul Police Department and Courts

The Justice Department previously filed a civil rights suit against the Missouri city for its refusal to change unconstitutional and discriminatory policies.
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 10, 2016 2:16PM EST

Ferguson Fails to Approve DOJ Policing Agreement, Now Open to Civil Rights Lawsuit

DOJ: “The Department of Justice will take the necessary legal actions to ensure that Ferguson’s policing and court practices comply with the Constitution and relevant federal laws.”
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 28, 2016 3:42PM EST

DOJ and Ferguson Reach Agreement on Justice System Reform

The 131-page agreement—which still awaits city council approval—covers everything from eliminating jaywalking provisions to creating a more diverse police force.
Deepa Iyer  May 26, 2015 3:59PM EDT

Cleveland Commits to Broad Changes to its Police Practices

By signing a U.S. Department of Justice Department consent decree, the city’s police department is agreeing to address officers’ excessive use of force, implicit bias, treatment of people who are mentally ill, and a range of other problems.
Brentin Mock  May 31, 2013 1:50PM EDT

Good News in Mississippi: School-To-Prison Pipeline Closes

Meridian schools can’t call the police on black students anymore for wearing the wrong colored socks.