Advancing Policing Through Continuous Action: Lessons Learned from DOJ Pattern or Practice Investigations

Sunday, October 20, 2024

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Location: 205C

Submitter(s)

Travis Parrish

Director of Client Services and Relations
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Gainesville, Virginia, United States

Speaker(s)

James Burch

President
National Policing Institute
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Craig Hartley, Jr.

Executive Director
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Gainesville, Virginia, United States
John Lieb

Deputy Chief
Fairfax County (VA) Police Department
Estella Patterson

Chief of Police
Raleigh (NC) Police Department

In reviewing 19 federal pattern or practice investigations of law enforcement agencies conducted between 2010 and 2022, 68 percent alleged unnecessary, excessive, unreasonable, and/or unconstitutional use of force by officers. The research sought to understand how agencies caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), why investigations began, and their findings. Common themes were identified and compiled based on the DOJ’s recommendations. The purpose was to identify proactive steps agencies can take to reduce the risk of becoming involved in a federal “pattern or practice” investigation. The research was narrowed to several key takeaways. The purpose of this session is to provide law enforcement executives ways to identify and address these types of concerns proactively.