Audit of the Department of Justice’s Law Enforcement and Corrections Components’ Use-of-Force Policies

Submitting OIG:

Department of Justice OIG

Date Issued:

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Justice

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

23-108

Component, if applicable:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Office of Justice Programs

Office on Violence Against Women

Other DOJ Components

United States Marshals Service

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
23-108.pdf	4.43 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Incorporate the 2021 Restraint and “No Knock” Guidance in a DOJ Directive or another appropriate format to ensure permanence.
2	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
In coordination with the BOP and USMS: (a) evaluate what use-of-force requirements and restrictions should apply to custodial situations, and (b) ensure these requirements are incorporated into DOJ, BOP, and USMS policies.
3	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Evaluate components’ determination on the applicability of DOJ’s 2021 Restraint and “No Knock” Guidance and 2022 Use-of-Force Policy to task force officers and contractors acting in a law enforcement capacity to ensure that legal and operational risks are adequately mitigated.
4	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Ensure components’ training programs align with and accomplish the DOJ’s expectations for use-of-force requirements and consider developing a framework for components to coordinate on best practices and opportunities for improvement.
5	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
In consultation with the Department, update its policies to: (a) meet the Department’s intent for the 2022 Use-of-Force Policy to apply to BOP non-custodial operations and interactions with the public; and (b) fully comply with the Department’s 2021 Restraint and “No Knock” Guidance, to include a ban on physical chokeholds and carotid restraints.
6	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Finalize policies on “no knock” warrant restrictions and disseminate the updates to personnel.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports

Incorporate the 2021 Restraint and “No Knock” Guidance in a DOJ Directive or another appropriate format to ensure permanence.

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports

In coordination with the BOP and USMS: (a) evaluate what use-of-force requirements and restrictions should apply to custodial situations, and (b) ensure these requirements are incorporated into DOJ, BOP, and USMS policies.

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports