Page 16 - The Civil Rights Division booklet

tional rights. Such acts of misconduct, known as acts commit-
ted under “color of law,” can include excessive force, sexual
assault, intentional false arrests, or the intentional fabrication
of evidence. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/crt/
crim.

The Division also has the authority to investigate and file a civ-
il suit if a law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern or
practice of misconduct that deprives individuals of their rights.
This could include a pattern or practice of, among other things,
excessive force, discriminatory harassment, false arrests, coer-
cive sexual conduct, and unlawful stops or searches. The Divi-
sion’s Special Litigation Section has the authority to initiate
civil litigation to remedy a pattern or practice of discrimination
based on race, color, national origin, gender or religion involv-
ing services by law enforcement agencies receiving federal
financial assistance. A landmark consent decree with the Los
Angeles Police Department provided a critical blueprint for
reform, and is a prime example of how the Division’s pattern
and practice authority can be used to improve public safety and
increase public confidence in law enforcement. To learn more,
visit www.justice.gov/crt/split.

The Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section
enforces a number of provisions of federal law, including Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which require recipients of

page 16