Case: DOJ Investigation of the City of Villa Rica, Georgia Police Department

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Case Summary

On January 27, 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ] notified the City of Villa Rica, Georgia that it had commenced an investigation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 of the Villa Rica Police Department [VRPD]. The investigation focused on whether the VRPD's drug interdiction unit, the "ICE Team, was engaging in a pattern or practice of discriminatory law enforcement and improper searches and seizures. Following the investigation, the DOJ and the City entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on…

On January 27, 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ] notified the City of Villa Rica, Georgia that it had commenced an investigation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141 of the Villa Rica Police Department [VRPD]. The investigation focused on whether the VRPD's drug interdiction unit, the "ICE Team, was engaging in a pattern or practice of discriminatory law enforcement and improper searches and seizures. Following the investigation, the DOJ and the City entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on December 23, 2003, which set forth changes to be implemented to certain VRPD policies and procedures. Changes were specified in the areas of highway interdiction operation, citizen complaints, training and officer supervision. The agreement called for the selection of an independent monitor to oversee the implementation process. The agreement was to terminate three years after its effective date, unless modified by the parties. As of the date of this summary, it is not known if the agreement has been terminated.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (1/7/2007)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)

Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)

Duffey, William S. Jr. (Georgia)

Eichner, James (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Memorandum of Agreement between the United States and City of Villa Rica, Georgia

Dec. 23, 2003

Dec. 23, 2003

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:41 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Georgia

Case Type(s):

Policing

Special Collection(s):

Traffic Stop Litigation

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

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

Villa Rica Police Department (City of Villa Rica, Georgia), 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):

Unreasonable search and seizure

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

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2003 - 2006

Issues

General:

Racial profiling

Policing:

Traffic Stops

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination