In 2012, the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (DOJ) launched an investigation of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. 1997.

On September 4, 2012, the investigation was closed without findings. However, the DOJ did conclude that there were systematic deficiencies relating to the way in which ESCO officers used force that, if left unaddressed, may result in civil rights violations. Accordingly, the DOJ made three recommendations that would reduce the risk of future violations.

First, the DOJ found that ECSO's policies for use of force were lacking in accuracy, detail, and clarity. The DOJ recommended developing a new set of well crafted use of force policies that accurately state the constitutional standard for permissible force. The policies should also include terms regarding crowd control and guidelines for de-escalation. And new policies regarding firearms, canines, electronic control weapons, and chemical weapons were recommended. Second, the DOJ recommended that ECSO require its deputies to generate reports that appropriately detail how they and their colleagues use force while in the field. These reports should be prepared both when using force and when witnessing force used by another deputy. Third, the DOJ noted that ECSO should provide counseling, guidance, and training following a deputy's use of force. Supervisors should conduct on-site investigations of incidents and prepare oversight reports, should regularly review deputy conduct, should implement an early warning system, and improve supervision over the use of canines.

There is no further information regarding this case.

Richard Jolly - 11/25/2014


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