The Mount Vernon, New York, police department will be the subject of a comprehensive review by the Justice Department.
The Mount Vernon police department is being investigated.
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The DOJ said in a news release that it will focus on "systems of accountability" in Mount Vernon, a majority Black suburb north of New York City.
The Mount Vernon Police Department has a history of facing allegations of racism and corruption, but no specific incidents were identified as prompting the investigation.
Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Louisville, Kentucky have all had practice investigations opened into their police departments.
An effective and accountable police department is a hallmark of a healthy and well- functioning democracy.
What to watch for.
Federal oversight of local police departments can be achieved through court-ordered consent decrees if there is evidence of wrongdoing. The consent decree outlines the reform of local police departments.
The key background.
President Joe Biden promised during his campaign last year that his administration would use the Justice Department to push for greater accountability in local police departments, as part of a broader effort to tackle systemic racial bias in the American criminal justice system. In the past, the Biden DOJ has used probes to reform local police departments, but this is the first time they have done so under his watch. The Minneapolis Police Department was the first pattern or practice investigation to be launched by the Attorney General after the murder of George Floyd. Five days later, the DOJ announced a pattern or practice investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department, which was responsible for killing Breonna Taylor during a raid in 2020. The Phoenix investigation was announced in August over allegations that officers mistreated homeless people.
The first year of consent decree resulted in a 25% decrease in police shootings. The use of serious force in Seattle declined from 2011 to 2019.
Abuse of Force is defined as the use of force.
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The DOJ is investigating the civil rights of the Phoenix Police Department.
The Justice Department is going to investigate the Minneapolis Police Department.
The Justice Department is investigating the death of Breonna Taylor.
