Case: DOJ Investigation of Torrance Police Department

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Case Summary

In January 1995, The Department of Justice opened this investigation on racist policing by the Torrance Police Department (TPD). The DOJ announced that this investigation was an expansion from the lawsuit Price v. Kramer, which was filed by three students who alleged they were ordered from the car at gunpoint, patted down and made to sit cross-legged on the sidewalk because of their race.

The Justice Department had previously filed a lawsuit against Torrance in 1993 (United States v. City of Torrance), as well as other California cities, including El Monte, Alhambra and Pomona, claiming that their police and fire departments discriminated against the minorities during hiring.

We don't have further information on this investigation.

Summary Authors

Ginny Lee (4/9/2017)

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Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:44 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

This is a Department of Justice investigation.

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Torrance Police Department (Torrance), City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

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):

Equal Protection

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Relief Granted:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General/Misc.:

Racial profiling

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination