In the face of protests nationwide and troubling incidents of police brutality, a coalition of Attorney Generals is calling on Congress to grant them authority to investigate unconstitutional policing.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh was one of 18 state attorney generals who signed onto the letter to Congress.

As announced in a press release:

In a letter issued to Congressional leadership, the coalition is asking Congress to expand the law enforcement misconduct section of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which was enacted following the severe beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles Police Department officers in 1991. The coalition argues that attorneys general should have authority to investigate and resolve patterns or practices of unconstitutional policing, particularly in the event that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) fails to use its authority to act.

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The coalition is asking Congress to grant statutory authority to conduct “pattern-or-practice” investigations, to obtain data regarding excessive use of force by law enforcement officers, and to bring appropriate actions in federal court to ensure constitutional policing in states, in particular when the federal government is unwilling or unable to act.

For more information:

Attorney General Frosh Urges Congress to Give State Attorneys General Authority to Investigate Unconstitutional Policing (Office of Attorney General press release)

Request to Expand the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act to Give State Attorneys General “Pattern-or-Practice” Authority (Letter to Congress)