The Department of Justice DOJ has launched a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department following a brutal, racially motivated attack on two Black men by white deputies.
The investigation seeks to determine if the department engages in a pattern of violating constitutional rights, including excessive use of force, unlawful stops, and discriminatory policing.
This investigation follows the January 2023 assault on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker by six deputies, who dubbed themselves the “Goon Squad” due to their willingness to use excessive force.
The officers subjected the men to horrific abuse, including shooting Jenkins in the mouth, mutilating his tongue.
Those involved have since been convicted and sentenced to federal prison, but the DOJ will now evaluate the department’s broader practices.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that this inquiry will focus on potential systemic issues, while Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee highlighted the deeply troubling history of racial violence in Mississippi and the importance of addressing such abuses.
The DOJ will review the department’s policies, training, and accountability measures to ensure the protection of civil rights.