Detroit, Justice Department ask judge to end federal oversight of police department

[alp227]

Source: Detroit Free Press

After 11 years, the Detroit Police Department soon may start operating without the watchful eye of a federal monitor.

The city and the U.S. Department of Justice jointly filed a motion, asking a U.S. District Court judge to no longer require federal oversight of the city’s police department. In the motion filed today, the city and justice department ask that the court terminate the use of force and arrest and witness detention consent judgment on Aug. 18.

If granted, the city and justice department agreed to enter into an 18-month transition agreement. Under that agreement, the justice department would review and evaluate the police department’s internal audits, conduct on-site visits and provide “comments and technical assistance where needed, to ensure that DPD’s reform efforts continue and are sustained.”

The city entered into two consent decrees with the justice department in 2003 after police were accused of unconstitutional conduct, including excessive use of force and illegal detentions.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20140808/NEWS01/308080198/Detroit-police-consent-decree

[Earth_First]

1. So in other words: "We learned our lesson...promise."

Meanwhile under the austerity of Detroit's government, SWAT teams will be executing water shutoffs.

Fantastic.

[christx30]

2. They have been failing

that badly and acting that abusively WITH federal oversight?! I'd hate to see how bad it gets once the Feds aren't looking over their shoulders.

[sakabatou]

3. They will try to get away with even more stuff

[avebury]

4. What Michigan needs is Federal oversight

of the state government so that they stop trying to destroy local citites/towns by eliminating voter established governments in favor of appointed managers.