Reintroduction of the Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland and Senator Elizabeth Warren have reintroduced the Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act to strengthen the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) ability to investigate police departments with a pattern or practice of unconstitutional and discriminatory behavior. The legislation aims to empower state attorneys general to pursue pattern or practice investigations and cases, provide grant programs to assist states, and triple funding for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division to pursue investigations into police departments with a history of engaging in unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act aims to strengthen the DOJ's ability to investigate police departments with a pattern or practice of unconstitutional and discriminatory behavior.
• The legislation would empower state attorneys general to pursue pattern or practice investigations and cases, providing a critical backstop if the DOJ fails to act, and create a grant program to assist states in pursuing investigations and consent decrees.
• The bill would triple funding for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, dedicating $100 million per year for the next 10 years to pursue investigations into police departments with a history of engaging in unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices.
• H.R. 3732 would encourage the DOJ to look beyond traditional law enforcement mechanisms when fashioning remedies with police departments, considering reform mechanisms like mental health support, civilian oversight bodies, and community-based restorative justice programs.
• The legislation would prevent conflicts of interest in pattern or practice investigations by barring certain officials from being designated to bring federal actions for pattern and practice violations if there would be a conflict of interest.
• The bill is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., National Urban League, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Action Network, Demand Progress, and the Public Rights Project.

Statistics:

• The legislation would create a grant program to assist states in pursuing investigations and consent decrees, which would provide $100 million per year for the next 10 years.
• The bill would triple funding for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, dedicating $100 million per year for the next 10 years to pursue investigations into police departments with a history of engaging in unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices.
• The Public Rights Project supports the bill, citing the need for state attorneys general to have the enhanced tools and resources needed to investigate systemic racism in police departments.

Sources:

• Office of Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland
• The Public Rights Project
• National Urban League
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• National Action Network
• Demand Progress