LEXINGTON, Miss.–The Lexington Police Department has agreed to change some of its policies in a settlement reached with the U.S. Dept. of Justice. The settlement is to answer complaints about the department’s treatment of citizens during pullovers and arrests, which came to a head in 2024 with a report from the DOJ concluding the department abused peoples civil rights.
The settlement requires Lexington PD to change some of its policies, including prosedures during stops, searches, arrests and their use of force policy.
The department will also have to revice policies on bail and release of prisoners, conflicts of interest, fines and fees.
There were no punitive measures announced in the settlement.
“We are very pleased that the City of Lexington and the Lexington Police Department reached an agreement to enhance the lawful and essential activities of the police department and its officers as they continue to protect and serve the citizens of Lexington and its surrounding areas,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division.
“Today’s agreement reflects a shared commitment to meaningful and sustainable change” said U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Through these reforms, we seek not only to address the concerns identified in our investigation, but also to strengthen public trust and promote practices that respect the rights and dignity of every person.”
