In a recent audit by the Independent Federal Monitoring Team, the Ferguson Police Department (FPD) has shown significant progress in terms of civilian oversight and internal investigations. The FPD had been under scrutiny, having to adhere to stringent standards set by a Consent Decree, which aimed to address and amend past inadequacies in law enforcement practices within the community it serves. This decree laid out specific requirements for accountability and civilian oversight within the department.
According to a social media post by the Ferguson Police Department, the auditors commended FPD for improving their internal investigations function since Lieutenant Dewey Rice assumed leadership of the Professional Standards Unit. Prior to Rice's tenure, there was no designated official for conducting complaint investigations, a practice which led to inconsistent results. After Rice's appointment, the FPD has witnessed more rigorous and standardized investigative processes.
Improvements cited include more detailed questioning of complainants, witnesses, and personnel along with better organization and accessibility to decision-makers. The Monitor's report recognizes that the "FPD’s investigations exhibited an increasingly improved level of organization, focus, and accessibility to decisionmakers." Nonetheless the report does acknowledge there are still opportunities for further improvement. The Ferguson Police Department, amidst these encouraging observations, remains focused on adhering to the federal consent decree, despite challenges pertaining to the size and resources of the department.
The FPD shared their approval of Lt. Rice's commitment to the reformative process, stating, "We salute Lt. Rice for his diligence and professionalism in building a strong Bureau of Professional Standards and upholding the tenets of the federal consent decree."
