DOJ Investigation Uncovers Historic Police Corruption in Mississippi Town, Targeting Black Residents

The small town of Lexington, Mississippi is currently under the national spotlight after a shocking revelation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) uncovered a historic level of police corruption within the city’s police department. The victims of this corruption? Mostly the Black residents of the city.

Despite its small population of only 1400 people, with 76 percent being Black, Lexington has been found to engage in “policing for profit,” where the police department disproportionately benefits from excessive fines. The DOJ’s report revealed that from 2021 to 2023, the police spending in Lexington increased significantly, with the department arresting about a fourth of the city’s population and collecting fines totaling over $1.7 million.

The report also detailed numerous civil rights violations committed by the Lexington Police Department (LPD) against its own citizens, including sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and unjust sentencing for those unable to pay fines. One disturbing incident involved a resident being chased by officers, tased in the head, and jailed multiple times for minor offenses like stealing a cup of coffee, accumulating over $7,500 in fees by November 2023.

This investigation by the DOJ, which began in November 2023, has exposed what is being called the biggest police corruption case in Lexington’s history. The city has a troubling past of police misconduct, with previous lawsuits for police brutality. Despite these findings, no immediate actions have been taken to address the systemic issues within the LPD. The DOJ’s report aims to shed light on the extent of the problem and the reforms needed to rectify the situation for the benefit of the community.