Struggle & Resistance Achievement & Excellence

April 2017

The DOJ's consent decree with Baltimore, entered April 7, 2017, documented systematic constitutional violations by the Baltimore Police Department including: racially discriminatory stops (44% of pedestrian stops in two Black neighborhoods accounting for less than 12% of city population); use of force against those posing no threat; retaliatory force against those exercising First Amendment rights; and unlawful arrests. The decree required extensive reforms. It followed the Obama DOJ's 2016 investigation triggered by Freddie Gray's death. The Trump DOJ initially sought to delay implementation but a federal judge required it proceed.

Events

April 7, 2017
DOJ Baltimore Consent Decree Documents Pattern of Racist Policing
The DOJ's consent decree with Baltimore, entered April 7, 2017, documented systematic constitutional violations by the Baltimore Police Department including: racially discriminatory stops (44% of pedestrian stops in two Black neighborhoods accounting for less than 12% of city population); use of force against those posing no threat; retaliatory force against those exercising First Amendment rights; and unlawful arrests. The decree required extensive reforms. It followed the Obama DOJ's 2016 investigation triggered by Freddie Gray's death. The Trump DOJ initially sought to delay implementation but a federal judge required it proceed.