Filed Date: Jan. 9, 2009
Closed Date: Oct. 14, 2012
Clearinghouse coding complete
This investigation of the policing practices of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) was opened by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on Jan. 9, 2009, and closed on September 4, 2012. There was a simultaneous Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) investigation into the jail operated by the ECSO. That investigation is included in this Clearinghouse here.
DOJ closed the policing investigation without findings, but chose to issue a technical assistance letter to the ECSO. In it, DOJ did conclude that there were systematic deficiencies relating to the way in which ESCO officers used force that, if left unaddressed, might result in civil rights violations. Accordingly, the DOJ made three recommendations that would reduce the risk of future violations.
First, the DOJ found that ECSO's policies for use of force were lacking in accuracy, detail, and clarity. The DOJ recommended developing a new set of well crafted use of force policies that accurately state the constitutional standard for permissible force. The policies should also include terms regarding crowd control and guidelines for de-escalation. And new policies regarding firearms, canines, electronic control weapons, and chemical weapons were recommended. Second, the DOJ recommended that ECSO require its deputies to generate reports that appropriately detail how they and their colleagues use force while in the field. These reports should be prepared both when using force and when witnessing force used by another deputy. Third, the DOJ noted that ECSO should provide counseling, guidance, and training following a deputy's use of force. Supervisors should conduct on-site investigations of incidents and prepare oversight reports, should regularly review deputy conduct, should implement an early warning system, and improve supervision over the use of canines.
Summary Authors
Richard Jolly (11/25/2014)
Jonah Hudson-Erdman (9/5/2021)
CRIPA Investigation of the Escambia County Jail, No Court (None)
Austin, Roy L. (District of Columbia)
Smith, Jonathan Mark (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:26 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Florida
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 9, 2009
Closing Date: Oct. 14, 2012
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
DOJ Investigation of the use of force by the Escambia County Sheriffs Office
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Escambia County Sheriffs Office (Escambia), County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Unreasonable search and seizure
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Incident/accident reporting & investigations
Policing: