The U.S. Department of Justice released a report following a 16-monthlong investigation into the Memphis Police Department, finding that the department routinely violates Memphians’ civil rights. The report cited excessive use of force, unlawful stops, searches, and arrests, as well as discrimination against Black people and individuals with behavioral health disabilities. The city and MPD were accused of discriminating in their response to people with disabilities.
The report highlighted that MPD officers often escalate encounters with aggressive language and force, specifically towards youth, leading to unjustified threats and interrogations that may result in involuntary confessions. The DOJ identified a disproportionate use of force, including unjustified shootings and incidents involving excessive force against individuals who were already restrained. The department’s training policies were criticized for priming officers to believe that force is the best way to resolve encounters.
The report also raised concerns about MPD’s handling of mental health crisis situations, including inappropriate responses and failures to assess the effectiveness of the Crisis Intervention Team program. Furthermore, the DOJ found that MPD engages in race-based policing, with Black drivers more likely to be cited for moving violations and minor infractions compared to white drivers.
The DOJ called out disparities in the enforcement of traffic laws, noting that predominantly Black neighborhoods experience more intense law enforcement despite similar crash rates. Additionally, Black individuals were arrested for drug offenses, particularly marijuana possession, at a much higher rate than white individuals. Overall, the report highlighted numerous instances where MPD engaged in discriminatory practices and violated the civil rights of Memphians.
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