Lexington, Mississippi police to undergo reforms following DOJ settlement

The Lexington, Mississippi Police Department has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement reforms following allegations of civil rights violations. A 2024 investigation found the department engaged in racial discrimination against Black residents, used excessive force, and retaliated against critics.

The Department of Justice reported that the department targeted Black individuals for arrests and utilized low-level offenses to generate revenue for the city. In one instance, arrest warrants for unpaid fines had been issued for approximately 650 people, representing nearly half of the city’s population of 1,600.

Under the terms of the settlement, the city and police department must reform practices regarding stops, searches, use of force, and bail. The agreement specifically prohibits jailing individuals for unpaid fines without first assessing their ability to pay, a practice deemed a violation of the 14th Amendment. Additionally, the department must dismiss all existing warrants for unlawful fines and expunge related records.