Case: DOJ Investigation of the Schenectady Police Department

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Case Summary

Beginning in 2002, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ] conducted an investigation of the City of Schenectady, New York Police Department pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. § 3789d(c)(3).On March 19, 2003, the DOJ issued a technical assistance letter to the department. In the letter, the DOJ noted that department's policy did "not limit the use of deadly force to situations involving an imminent threa…

Beginning in 2002, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ] conducted an investigation of the City of Schenectady, New York Police Department pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. § 3789d(c)(3).

On March 19, 2003, the DOJ issued a technical assistance letter to the department. In the letter, the DOJ noted that department's policy did "not limit the use of deadly force to situations involving an imminent threat to the life of the officer or another person," and that "the policy appears to state that the use of deadly force may be justified even when there is no imminent threat to the life of the officer or another person." To prevent future harms, the DOJ made specific recommendations regarding changes to the department's policies in the following areas: use of force, investigations, external complaints, discipline, supervisory oversight, and training.

On December 27, 2012, the DOJ informed the police department that it was no longer in violation of federal or constitutional law. According to the Times Union, the DOJ found that the police department had adopted many of its "technical assistance recommendations with respect to use of force, use of force reporting, and use of force investigations; citizens complaints; stops; searches and arrests; vehicle pursuits; performance appraisal system; hiring practices; and training."

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (1/23/2007)

Richard Jolly (11/28/2014)

Abigail DeHart (3/9/2018)

People


Judge(s)

Jurczynski, Albert P. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Brockbank, Michael T. (New York)

Judge(s)

Jurczynski, Albert P. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Investigation of the Schenectady Police Department

In re: DOJ Investigation of the Schenectady Police Department

March 19, 2003

March 19, 2003

Findings Letter/Report

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:37 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice investigation of use of force by the City of Schenectady, New York Police Department.

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: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Schenectady Police Department (Schenectady, NY), 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):

Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Order Duration: 2003 - 2012

Issues

General:

Failure to discipline

Failure to supervise

Failure to train

Racial profiling

Policing:

Excessive force

Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures