DOJ Report on Lexington Police Reveals Violations, Echoes Phoenix Investigation Findings

The DOJ announced that the Lexington Police Department violated constitutional rights through discriminatory practices and excessive force.Photo byNathan CimaonUnsplash

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that the Lexington Police Department (LPD) and the City of Lexington engaged in systemic violations of constitutional rights, particularly targeting Black residents.

The investigation, led by the DOJ, revealed the use of excessive force, unlawful arrests, and a discriminatory approach to law enforcement, which U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland described as a severe breach of public trust.

"Today’s findings show that the Lexington Police Department abandoned its sacred position of trust in the community by routinely violating the constitutional rights of those it was sworn to protect," said Garland.

The DOJ's report highlighted several key areas of concern, including the unlawful detention of individuals unable to pay fines, the use of excessive force, and arrests conducted without probable cause.

The report also found that LPD's enforcement disproportionately targeted Black residents, with 2023 data showing that Black individuals were 17.6 times more likely to be arrested than white residents in Lexington.

Lexington's approach has led to the accumulation of more than $1.7 million in unpaid fines, deeply impacting the city's 1,200 residents, the majority of whom are Black.

In addition to the financial burden, LPD's aggressive policing tactics, such as breaking down doors to arrest individuals for minor infractions, have created a climate of fear and distrust.

The findings mirror those of the Phoenix Police Department report released earlier this year, where the DOJ also identified systemic violations of civil rights, including the use of excessive force and discriminatory practices disproportionately affecting people of color.

The Phoenix investigation similarly uncovered how law enforcement strategies contributed to deep-seated issues of community mistrust and perpetuated long-standing racial disparities.

Garland emphasized the need for accountability in Lexington, concluding, "Being poor is not a crime, but practices like these amounts to punishing people for poverty. People in that community deserve better, and the Justice Department is committed to working with them to make the city safer for all its citizens."