Oklahoma Metropolis and its police division have discriminated towards folks with behavioral well being disabilities, the U.S. Division of Justice stated final week after releasing the newest in a series of investigations into state and native legislation enforcement businesses.
In its 45-page report, the DOJ discovered town unnecessarily institutionalizes adults with psychological sickness and that the police division usually escalates disaster conditions by responding with armed officers as an alternative of with behavioral well being professionals.
“In consequence, pressing psychological well being wants usually go unaddressed and disaster conditions are needlessly escalated, typically resulting in avoidable use of power,” Assistant Lawyer Common Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated in an announcement.
Oklahoma Metropolis and police Chief Ron Bacy each stated Thursday they had been nonetheless reviewing the report.
The report stated the DOJ launched the investigation in 2022 after receiving a criticism however didn’t present additional particulars. The company, by means of a spokesperson, declined to remark additional.
The probe in Oklahoma is considered one of 12 comparable investigations opened by the DOJ since April 2021. Many have been in response to high-profile deaths by the hands of police, together with George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Different accomplished investigations all discovered patterns of unlawful police practices.
The DOJ concluded in its findings report that it intends to work with metropolis and state officers to achieve a decision to their findings however added that if a decision couldn’t be reached, the company might file a lawsuit to make sure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
In separate statements, Oklahoma Lawyer Common Gentner Drummond and Gov. Kevin Stitt acknowledged the necessity for enhancements to the state’s psychological well being system however had been crucial of the DOJ underneath President Joe Biden for what they characterised as federal overreach.
“We’ll carefully evaluate the findings, however the DOJ report seems to be an try and bully Oklahoma into compliance with ever-changing and undefined targets,” Drummond stated.
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