Gen. Merrick Garland on Friday jettisoned Trump-era restrictions that curtailed the Justice Department’s ability to reform troubled police departments, a move that will open the door for federal authorities to again investigate law enforcement agencies and hold them to account for civil rights abuses. Garland’s action was not a surprise, and outside experts said they expect the Justice Department soon to announce it will be launching inquiries of police. “We are going to start to see them pretty quickly.”AdvertisementThe Obama administration launched 25 broad investigations of law enforcement agencies that resulted in 14 consent decrees. In rescinding Sessions’ rules, Garland also gave the power to launch investigations and enter into court-approved agreements to lower-level Justice Department officials, including U.S. attorneys. “The mandatory nature of consent decrees does not allow police departments or elected officials to kick reform down the road.”

Source: Los Angeles Times April 16, 2021 23:17 UTC