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In 2004, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York [collectively "DOJ"] initiated an investigation of the City of Beacon, New York Police Department pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141.
On June 21, 2005, the DOJ issued a technical assistance letter to the department. In the letter, the DOJ made specific recommendations regarding changes to the department's policies in the following areas: use of force, vehicle pursuits/roadblocks, complaint investigations, supervisory oversight, and training.
In 2010, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. The agreement incorporated many of the recommndations made the technical assistance letter. The parties anticipated that the agreement would remain in effect for two years, but termination would only occur when the parties agree that the City of Beacon Police Department had maintained substantial compliance with the agreement.
On August 9, 2016, the DOJ sent a letter to the City of Beacon Police Department saying that it was in substantial compliance with the agreement. According to the law firm enlisted to help the city achieve substantial compliance, the DOJ letter recognized that the Beacon Police Department demonstrated substantial improvement with respect to how it interacts with the citizens of the City of Beacon and others on a day-to-day basis.
Summary Authors
Blase Kearney (7/31/2012)
Richard Jolly (11/27/2014)
Abigail DeHart (3/9/2018)
Bharara, Preetinder S. (New York)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Kelley, David N. (New York)
Kennedy, David J. (New York)
Perez, Thomas E. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:29 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: 2016
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
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: Unknown
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Beacon Police Department (Beacon, New York), City
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:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Order Duration: 2010 - 2016
Content of Injunction:
Implement complaint/dispute resolution process
Issues
General:
Policing: