The Justice Department announced today the initiation of a civil pattern or practice investigation into Rankin County, Mississippi, and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). Rankin County, with a population of approximately 160,000, is situated about 30 minutes east of Jackson, Mississippi.
The investigation aims to determine whether RCSD engages in patterns or practices that violate the Constitution and federal law. This includes evaluating all types of force used by RCSD officers, including deadly force. Additionally, it will assess whether RCSD conducts unlawful stops, searches, and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment and if it engages in discriminatory policing contrary to the 14th Amendment, Title VI, and Safe Streets Act.
“The public is now well aware of the heinous attack inflicted on two Black men by Rankin County deputies who called themselves the ‘Goon Squad,’” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Those officers have since been convicted and sentenced, but we are launching this civil pattern or practice investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights through excessive use of force; unlawful stops, searches, and arrests; and discriminatory policing. These include allegations that Rankin County deputies have overused tasers, entered homes unlawfully, used racial slurs, and deployed dangerous, cruel tactics to assault people in their custody. We are committed to working with local officials, deputies, and the community to conduct a comprehensive investigation.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division commented on the situation: “The violent, unlawful and racially charged actions of the so-called Goon Squad left lasting and damaging effects on the community.” She added that since these acts came to light there have been reports of other instances where Rankin deputies overused tasers unlawfully entered homes bandied about shocking racial slurs deployed dangerous cruel tactics to assault people in their custody. "Based on an extensive review of publicly available information as well as complaints provided to us we have grounds to open a pattern or practice investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department now."
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi remarked: “The information we have learned to date about the conduct of some members of the Rankin County Sheriff’s office calls back to some of the worst periods of Mississippi’s history,” adding that old hatreds and abuse should not be accepted nor should safety come at the price of illegal force and abuse.
This civil investigation is distinct from federal criminal civil rights prosecutions concerning RCSD deputies' violent assaults on Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker by five white deputies.
The inquiry will involve a thorough review of RCSD policies training supervision systems accountability outreach community groups public experiences with RCSD discussions with RCSD deputies leadership perspectives.
Before this announcement was made official Justice Department notified Rankin County officials who pledged cooperation with investigation.
This probe is being conducted under Violent Crime Control Law Enforcement Act 1994 which prohibits state local governments from engaging pattern practice conduct law enforcement officers deprives individuals rights protected Constitution federal law allows remedy such misconduct through civil litigation.
Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section U.S. Attorney Office Southern District Mississippi jointly conducting this investigation.
Individuals relevant information encouraged contact Justice Department via email community.rankin@usdoj.gov toll free phone (888) 392-8557 report civil rights violations using Civil Rights Division new reporting portal available at civilrights.justice.gov/ also report violations U.S. Attorney Office USAMSS.civilrights@usdoj.gov (601) 973-2825.
Today’s announcement marks 12th pattern practice investigation law enforcement misconduct opened by Justice Department during this administration recently completed an investigation Phoenix Police Department.
Information specific Civil Rights Division police reform work can be found here.
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