Justice Department Finds Baltimore Police Practices Are Racially Biased
Justice Department Finds Baltimore Police Practices Are Racially Biased
by Pete Williams
A Justice Department investigation has concluded that Baltimore police routinely stop, search, and even arrest the city's black residents without provocation, destroying the community's trust in local law enforcement.
Launched after last year's unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, the investigation reviewed more than six years of records, concluding that Baltimore police make groundless stops and use excessive force, especially in the city's minority communities.
It found deficiencies in training, policies, and supervision "that fail to equip officers with the tools they need to police effectively and within the bounds of federal law."
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who asked the Justice Department to conduct the investigation, said Wednesday the report is an important step on the path to reforming BPD, the Baltimore Police Department.
The findings are challenging to hear. I never sugar-coat our problems, nor will I run away from our most pressing challenges. The transparency of the report offers crucial a crucial foundation if we are going to move forward," she said.
READ MORE: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/justic...
by Pete Williams
A Justice Department investigation has concluded that Baltimore police routinely stop, search, and even arrest the city's black residents without provocation, destroying the community's trust in local law enforcement.
Launched after last year's unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, the investigation reviewed more than six years of records, concluding that Baltimore police make groundless stops and use excessive force, especially in the city's minority communities.
It found deficiencies in training, policies, and supervision "that fail to equip officers with the tools they need to police effectively and within the bounds of federal law."
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who asked the Justice Department to conduct the investigation, said Wednesday the report is an important step on the path to reforming BPD, the Baltimore Police Department.
The findings are challenging to hear. I never sugar-coat our problems, nor will I run away from our most pressing challenges. The transparency of the report offers crucial a crucial foundation if we are going to move forward," she said.
READ MORE: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/justic...
