September 5, 2002
The Columbia Dispatch reported that the DOJ dropped a lawsuit against the Columbia Police Department charging it with racially discriminatory patterns of conduct, citing dramatic changes in the Police Department's policies which showed they were serious about safeguarding people's rights.

The lawsuit was originally filed in October 1999, after three years of investigating complaints alleging police discrimination and abuse of power by filing false charges, using excessive force and conducting illegal searches. It was amended in June 2000 to include allegations systematically profiling drivers between 1994 -1996.

The Columbus police now collect and analyze data every time a vehicle is stopped to ensure police aren't pulling over drivers based on their race. Furthermore, the department has been cleared of conducting discriminatory hiring practices.

Between 1995 - 1998, the city of Columbus spent $2.8 million to defend officers against civil-rights complaints. Another $700,000 was authorized in February 2000.

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