Attorney General Lynch Announces Investigation into Baltimore Police Department
Summary
The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) announced the opening of a pattern or practice investigation into the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) on May 8, 2015. Attorney General Loretta Lynch made the announcement at a press conference, signaling a formal federal civil rights inquiry into BPD's law enforcement practices and procedures. This investigation represents a significant federal enforcement action targeting potential constitutional violations in a major city police department.
“Attorney General Lynch Announces Investigation into Baltimore Police Department”
Pattern or practice investigations under 34 U.S.C. § 12601 can result in binding consent decrees that impose systemic reform requirements on departments. Law enforcement agencies facing similar civil rights scrutiny should review use-of-force policies, stops-and-searches procedures, and bias training before a formal investigation is opened. Early self-assessment may reduce the scope of any resulting consent decree.
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GovPing monitors US DOJ Civil Rights Division for new tax regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
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The Department of Justice announced the opening of a formal pattern or practice investigation into the Baltimore Police Department on May 8, 2015. This type of investigation examines whether BPD has engaged in a pattern or practice of constitutional violations, including unlawful stops, searches, arrests, or use of force.
Law enforcement agencies across the country should monitor this investigation closely as pattern or practice investigations can result in consent decrees requiring systemic reforms. Any agency with similar civil rights concerns should proactively review policies and training to reduce exposure to federal oversight. The outcome of this investigation could establish precedent for similar federal inquiries into other departments.
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Apr 28, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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Attorney General Lynch Announces Investigation into Baltimore Police Department
Friday, May 8, 2015
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Press Release: Justice Department Opens Pattern or Practice Investigation into the Baltimore Police Department
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Updated February 5, 2025 Topic Civil Rights Components Civil Rights Division Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office of the Attorney General
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