Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000

(202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


STATEMENT BY BILL LANN LEE

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Bill Lann Lee, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Justice Department, met on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 with officials from Prince George's County, Maryland to inform them of steps the Justice Department is taking to investigate the Prince George's County Police Department. Bill Lann Lee issued the following statement after the meeting:

  • "Yesterday, I met with officials from Prince George's County to inform them that the Justice Department has expanded its pattern or practice investigation of alleged police misconduct by the Prince George's County Police Department. The expanded investigation includes a review of allegations of excessive force and racially discriminatory law enforcement.

  • "The ongoing investigation of the use of canines by the Prince George's County Police Department will continue. The Prince George's County Police Department has been working together with the Justice Department on its canine policies.

  • "Although the Justice Department has decided to expand this investigation, it has not yet reached any conclusions in the matter. The expanded investigation will be conducted jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland."

The investigation is being conducted under the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which prohibits a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected under the Constitution or federal statutes. The law authorizes the Justice Department to investigate allegations of law enforcement misconduct and to seek reforms of policies, training, supervision or management practices that have allowed misconduct to occur. The 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act also prohibits local law enforcement agencies receiving federal financial assistance - such as the Prince George's County Police Department - from engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, among other factors. For more information about the police misconduct pattern or practice program, see www.usdoj.gov/crt/split.

###

00-640