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The Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the city of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department (LPD) seeking to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law.

DOJ said the investigation will focus on the police department’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. It will assess whether those activities are reasonable, non-discriminatory and respect the right to engage in speech and conduct protected by the First Amendment. The investigation will include a review of LPD policies, training and supervision, practices for the collection of fines and fees and systems of accountability.

Lexington is a town of approximately 1,600 people, located about an hour outside of the state’s capitol in Jackson, Mississippi.

“No city, no town and no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our enforcement of the constitutional rights every American enjoys,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Before the DOJ announced its probe, officials notified Lexington officials, who DOJ said have pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with LPD.

This announcement marks the eleventh pattern or practice investigation into law enforcement misconduct opened by the Justice Department during the Biden Administration. The department has ongoing investigations into the ; the ; the ; the ; the ; the ; the ; and the . The department recently completed investigations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, and secured agreements with both jurisdictions to negotiate consent decrees to address the violations found.

Source: Department of Justice

Topics Law Enforcement Mississippi