In a recent development, the Justice Department has announced a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department (LPD). This investigation aims to determine whether there have been systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law in regards to the police department's use of force, as well as its stops, searches, and arrests.

Located about an hour outside of the state's capital in Jackson, Lexington is a small town with approximately 1,600 residents. The investigation will focus on assessing the reasonableness, non-discrimination, and respect for First Amendment rights in the LPD's activities. It will involve a comprehensive review of the department's policies, training, supervision, practices for the collection of fines and fees, and systems of accountability.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division emphasized that no city or law enforcement agency is exempt from the responsibility to provide fair and non-discriminatory policing. She stated, "We will leave no community behind, including underserved regions in the Deep South, in our quest to ensure lawful and constitutional policing in America."

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi expressed his commitment to ensuring fair treatment by the police in the state. He stated, "Our office is committed to ensuring that everyone in Mississippi is treated fairly and lawfully by the police. Today's announcement reflects that commitment. We will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of LPD, and we will take decisive action to address any unlawful conduct."

Prior to the announcement, Lexington officials were informed by the Justice Department and have pledged their cooperation with the investigation. In addition, the department will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to gather insights about their experiences with LPD.

The investigation will be jointly conducted by the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, in accordance with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. This act prohibits state and local governments from engaging in conduct by law enforcement officers that violates people's rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.

If the Justice Department finds reasonable cause to believe that there is a pattern or practice of unlawful conduct, it may bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to address the violations. The investigation will assess the law enforcement practices under the First, Fourth, and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the non-discrimination provisions of the Safe Streets Act.

Individuals with pertinent information related to this investigation are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email or phone.

Today's announcement marks the 11th pattern or practice investigation into law enforcement misconduct initiated by the Justice Department during this Administration. The department currently has ongoing investigations into several police departments across the country, including Phoenix, Mount Vernon, Louisiana State Police, New York City Special Victims Division, Worcester, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Trenton.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi are committed to upholding lawful and constitutional policing practices to protect the rights of all individuals. The investigation is a significant step towards ensuring fairness and justice within the community of Lexington.

In an effort to promote transparency, the Justice Department will hold a public community meeting on November 8th in Lexington, where members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about the investigation.

Additional information about the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi can be found on their respective websites.