The Department of Justice released a report stating that the police department in Lexington, Mississippi, a majority-Black town, has consistently violated the rights of residents through illegal arrests and retaliation against department critics. The investigation was launched after complaints from local attorneys and activists, as well as an audio recording of the town’s former police chief bragging about shooting a Black man 119 times. The DOJ found that the police department discriminates against Black people and disproportionately targets them for arrests.
According to United States Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, the Lexington Police Department unlawfully discriminates against Black people. The town, which has a population of approximately 1,200 inhabitants with 76% being Black, has a history of racially discriminatory practices. The report noted that Black people were disproportionately targeted for arrests, with 98% of people arrested for traffic offenses being Black. The DOJ investigation marked the second time the town has been investigated since 1963, when it was found liable for intimidating Black people to vote.
One incident highlighted in the report involved Lexington officers chasing down a man and stunning him with a Taser until he foamed at the mouth. The man had been arrested multiple times for minor incidents over the previous months and was kept in jail because he could not afford the fines. Assistant Attorney General Clarke emphasized that fines for minor offenses can have a significant impact on individuals in poverty, and the practices of the Lexington Police Department punish people for poverty. She stressed that being poor is not a crime and that the criminalization of poverty cannot be tolerated in the county.
The DOJ report revealed that Black residents in Lexington were not treated the same way as white residents by the police department. The report also noted that officers had arrested individuals multiple times for minor offenses, indicating a pattern of abuse of power and harassment. Assistant Attorney General Clarke condemned the practices of the police department and emphasized the need to address systemic racism and discrimination within law enforcement agencies.
The DOJ’s investigation into the Lexington Police Department comes at a time when there is increased scrutiny on law enforcement practices and accountability. The report is a call to action for the department to address the systemic issues that have led to the violation of residents’ rights, particularly those of the Black community. The findings underscore the need for reforms within the police department to ensure that all residents are treated fairly and that discriminatory practices are eliminated.
The release of the DOJ report is just the beginning of a process to address the issues within the Lexington Police Department. It is crucial that the department takes action to implement the necessary reforms and ensure that residents’ rights are protected. The report serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies and the need to address systemic racism in policing. Overall, the report sheds light on the challenges faced by the Black community in Lexington and the urgent need for change within the police department.
