U.S. Department
of Justice
Conduct of Law Enforcement Agencies
CONDUCT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DOJ CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT (CIVIL) |
The Department of Justice works to protect the rights of people who interact with state or local police or sheriffs' departments. If we find that one of these law enforcement agencies systematically deprives people of their rights, we can act. We use information from a variety of sources to bring our cases, including information from community members. The voice of every member of the community is very important to us. DOJ receives dozens of reports of potential violations each month. We collect this information and it informs our case selection. We may sometimes use it as evidence in an existing case. However, we cannot bring a case based on every report we receive. Nor do we have authority to investigate federal law enforcement agencies. We also cannot assist in individual criminal cases, including wrongful arrest or convictions, appeals or sentencing. |
LAWS ENFORCED |
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141 (re-codified at 34 U.S.C. § 12601), allows DOJ to review the practices of law enforcement agencies that may be violating people's federal rights. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the "OJP Program Statute.” If a law enforcement agency receives federal funding, DOJ can also use the anti-discrimination provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1999, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or national origin by agencies receiving federal funds. DOJ may act if it finds a pattern or practice by the law enforcement agency that systemically violates people's rights. Harm to a single person, or isolated action, is usually not enough to show a pattern or practice that violates these laws. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all State and local government programs, services, and activities regardless of whether they receive DOJ financial assistance; it also protects people who are discriminated against because of their association with a person with a disability. Section 504 prohibits discrimination by State and local law enforcement agencies that receive financial assistance from DOJ. Section 504 also prohibits discrimination in programs and activities conducted by Federal agencies, including law enforcement agencies. |
LINKS & RESOURCES |
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SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS – DOJ CONTACTS |
SPECIAL LITIGATION SECTION (SPL), DOJ To file a complaint, write the SPL explaining the situation about which you are complaining, with as much detail as possible. If you are aware of similar incidents involving others, please include that information as well. SPL does not have legal authority to represent individuals. In most of SPL’s work, a single incident of mistreatment will not be sufficient to start an investigation. Please include information on how to contact you if we need further information (such as an address, telephone number and e-mail address). Also, do not include original documents, as we cannot guarantee their safe return. You can send information to: Special Litigation Section Website: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section (202) 514-6255; toll-free at (877) 218-5228; FAX - (202) 514-0212; Alt. FAX - (202) 514-6273, Email - Special.Litigation@usdoj.gov | OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS OCR OJP ensures that recipients of financial assistance from OJP, as well as the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the Office on Violence Against Women, comply with federal laws that prohibit discrimination in employment and the delivery of services or benefits based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and disability. Contacts OCR Main Line: 202-307-0690 |
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION If you would like to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability, you may send a written complaint to: Disability Rights Section You may also call the Disability Rights Section's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). | US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Civil Rights Coordinator |