Blunt Statement on DOJ Pattern-or-Practice Review of Minneapolis Police Department

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would undertake a pattern-or-practice review of the Minneapolis Police Department:

“Pattern-or-practice reviews have a proven record of success in rooting out misconduct in local departments and leading to reforms where they are needed. In Missouri, a pattern-or-practice review of the Ferguson Police Department and subsequent consent decree have gone a long way toward rebuilding trust between the department and the community. I hope that can serve as an example for Minneapolis and other departments as we look at ways to strengthen accountability among local law enforcement agencies. I previously urged the Department of Justice to utilize these important tools, and I support Attorney General Merrick Garland’s announcement today.”

Last year, Blunt sent a letter to then-Attorney General William Barr encouraging DOJ to reinstate pattern-or-practice reviews and consent decrees. Blunt cited the Ferguson Police Department as an example of how both of those tools have been used effectively to identify misconduct and implement court-ordered reforms.