What are Consent Decrees?
The crime bill was passed during the crack cocaine epidemic and in the climate of the federal civil rights convictions of the officers involved in the Rodney King traffic stop who were previously acquitted in state court. The Democratic congressional black caucus was advocating fervently for sentence enhancements on crack cocaine convictions. It would be challenging to convince a young democrat voter of these recent policy stances.
First Consent Decree: Pittsburgh 1997
As soon as the ink dried on the consent decree, the New York Times writes: ‘Sizing up the investigators, Chief McNeilly — dressed, as usual, in uniform — had one thought he could not get out of his mind: “There was nobody with any police experience.”’
Their agreement, thankfully had an end point in 2002, but following millions of general budget monies spent on now obsolete software and programs, and even today, there are accusation that the reforms ‘did not stick.’ The stain of a consent decree is permanent.
“In Valor, there is Hope.”
My associates and I have means to put the threat of consent decrees into the dustbin of history so if you are ready to discuss how we intend to that please reach out at [email protected]. Let us know in the comments your experience with consent decrees in your city or county.
Please keep all our officers in your prayers!
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