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Law Enforcement

Because of their critical role in protecting the public and ensuring public safety, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies often confront issues that jeopardize their relationship with the public they serve and threaten their reputation for competence and integrity. These issues can range from a single, highly-publicized encounter with a citizen or a group of citizens, to more systemic problems with use of force, racial profiling, civil rights integrity, training, internal investigations, and discipline.

The Bromwich Group has substantial experience helping law enforcement agencies at every level deal with the special challenges of managing and reforming such organizations.

Among the services provided:

Serving as an independent monitor to ensure compliance with consent decrees or voluntary agreements entered into with the Department of Justice or State Attorneys General
Working with law enforcement agencies to explore and analyze specific problems or issues, and make recommendations for reform
Advising law enforcement executives on strategies to reform their organizations and change the culture of those organizations
Creating public affairs and outreach strategies to improve or address public perception relating to a significant incident or series of incidents

Examples of Previous Experience in the Field

In 2013-2014, The Bromwich Group conducted a review of the activities of the Houston Police Department Crime Lab in implementing more than 150 recommendations made by an investigative team headed by Mr. Bromwich in 2007. The review was conducted for the Houston Forensic Science Local Government Corporation, and with the assistance of a grant provided by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation.
From 2006-2010, Mr. Bromwich represented the Delaware Department of Correction in connection with an investigation conducted by the Civil Rights Division of DOJ into whether the Department of Correction was providing constitutionally adequate levels of care to its male and female inmates. The matter was settled within a few months of the commencement of the investigation.
From 2002-2008, Mr. Bromwich served as the Independent Monitor for the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), pursuant to an agreement among DOJ, the District of Columbia, and MPD. He was jointly selected by MPD, the District of Columbia, and DOJ. As the Independent Monitor, he led an interdisciplinary team that included police practices experts, attorneys, and statistical and data analysis experts in monitoring the District of Columbia’s and MPD’s progress under the terms of the agreement. MPD ultimately achieved substantial compliance with that agreement. The quarterly reports prepared and submitted during the monitorship are available at:www.policemonitor.org.
From 2005-2007, Mr. Bromwich served as the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Lab. When he was selected by an outside Stakeholders Committee appointed by the Mayor, which included representatives of Latino and African-American civil rights organizations, Houston was in crisis as a result of highly-publicized problems with the work of its Crime Lab. That crisis was intensified by the exoneration of two defendants who had been previously convicted based on flawed DNA and serology evidence. Mr. Bromwich assembled a team of the best forensic scientists in North America to review the full range of cases handled by the Crime Lab. The reports produced by that investigation, including recommendations for reform, are available at:www.hpdlabinvestigation.org. The review was the most comprehensive investigation of a forensic crime lab ever conducted. Its findings have never been questioned.

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Law Enforcement

Examples of Previous Experience in the Field

Sampling of Recent Articles & Presentations