The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) in Mississippi, focusing on allegations of excessive force, unlawful arrests, and discriminatory policing. This move follows a disturbing pattern of misconduct, highlighted by the brutal attack of two Black men by deputies who referred to themselves as the “Goon Squad.” Those deputies have been convicted, but federal authorities now aim to determine whether the abuse was part of a broader, systemic issue within the department.

“Those officers have since been convicted and sentenced, but we are launching this civil pattern or practice investigation to examine serious allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The investigation will scrutinize RCSD’s use of force—including deadly force—along with allegations of unlawful stops, searches, and racially motivated practices. Complaints of officers overusing tasers, unlawfully entering homes, and hurling racial slurs have prompted federal attention.

Rankin County, Mississippi’s fourth-largest, sits just outside the state capital, Jackson, with a population of roughly 160,000. The investigation will assess whether deputies engage in practices that violate both the Constitution and federal law, including potential violations of the Fourth Amendment and the 14th Amendment, which protects against racial discrimination.

“The violent, unlawful, and racially charged actions of the so-called Goon Squad left lasting and damaging effects on the community,” said Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, referencing the widely condemned assault. Clarke emphasized that the investigation comes after numerous reports of misconduct, including the excessive use of tasers and aggressive tactics by deputies.

The investigation comes on the heels of federal criminal prosecutions of RCSD deputies for their involvement in the assault of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, both of whom were attacked by five white officers. This civil investigation, however, will be independent and broader in scope, looking beyond individual cases to determine whether a pattern of unconstitutional behavior exists within the department.

U.S. Attorney Todd Gee of Mississippi’s Southern District drew parallels to the state’s dark history of racial violence, stating, “The information we have learned to date about the conduct of some members of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office calls back to some of the worst periods of Mississippi’s history. We do not have to accept the old hatreds and abuse of the past.”

Rankin County officials have pledged to cooperate fully with the inquiry, which will include a thorough review of RCSD’s policies, training, and accountability measures. The Justice Department will also gather input from the community to assess how widespread these practices may be.

This investigation is being conducted under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which empowers the Justice Department to address systemic police misconduct through civil litigation.