The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff's Department in Mississippi, following the prosecution of several former officers known as the "Goon Squad" for their involvement in the torture and sexual abuse of two Black men. This probe marks the 12th such investigation initiated during President Biden's administration, highlighting a continued focus on addressing systemic issues within local law enforcement agencies.
Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general of the Civil Rights Division, announced that the investigation will scrutinize potential patterns of excessive force, unlawful stops and searches, and racially discriminatory policing practices within the department. While Clarke stated that the investigation was not triggered by a specific incident, she acknowledged the notorious January 2023 home invasion assault that brought national attention to the department's conduct.
The incident in question involved five former Rankin County officers and a sixth former narcotics investigator from another police force in Mississippi. These officers entered a home without a warrant, where they subjected Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to a horrific ordeal. The victims were handcuffed, stripped, beaten, and sexually assaulted. The officers also employed electric Taser shockers and waterboarding techniques while shouting racial slurs at the men.
"Since the Goon Squad's sickening acts came to light, we have received reports of other instances indicating that this conduct was far too common. Put simply, the concerns about the Rankin County Sheriff's Department did not end with the demise of the Goon Squad."
The six former law enforcement officers involved in this incident have been convicted and received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 45 years. However, the Justice Department's decision to launch a broader investigation suggests that the concerns about the department's conduct extend beyond this single case.
Rankin County, established on February 4, 1828, and named after Mississippi Congressman Christopher Rankin, is the fourth-most populous county in the state and part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county's involvement in this investigation brings attention to the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing systemic issues and maintaining public trust.
The Civil Rights Division, established in 1957, plays a crucial role in enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination. Under the leadership of Kristen Clarke, the first woman and first Black woman to head the division, the department has been actively pursuing investigations into potential civil rights violations by law enforcement agencies across the country.
This investigation is conducted under the authority granted by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which empowers the Justice Department to examine systemic misconduct in law enforcement. The probe may potentially lead to a consent decree, mandating specific reforms within the Rankin County Sheriff's Department to address any identified issues.
As the investigation unfolds, it will likely draw attention to broader discussions about racial profiling, use of force, and accountability in law enforcement. The FBI, as part of the Justice Department, may assist in this civil rights investigation, bringing additional resources and expertise to the process.
The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for law enforcement practices not only in Rankin County but potentially across the state of Mississippi and beyond, as it addresses critical issues at the intersection of law enforcement and civil rights.