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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)
Jurczynski, Albert P. (New York)
Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)
Brockbank, Michael T. (New York)
Jurczynski, Albert P. (New York)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:37 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
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):
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 2003 - 2012
Issues
General:
Policing: