Source: Bloomberg / Getty
One day after a jury convicted Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, the Department of Justice announced they’re launching a probe into the Minneapolis police department for a pattern of abuse.
“Today, I am announcing that the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional, unlawful policing,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
The DOJ will assess whether MPD followed a pattern of excessive force while out in the community, along with officers engaging in discriminatory tactics in the treatment of people who were in police custody, Garland noted.
He said this probe is separate from any federal investigation into the death of George Floyd, but he did acknowledge Tuesday’s verdict while addressing reporters in Washington.
“I know such wounds have deep roots, Garland said. “And that too many communities have experienced those wounds, firsthand. Yesterday’s verdict in the state criminal trial does not address, potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis.”
He went on to say the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota will be leading the investigation.
DOJ to probe Minneapolis Police Dept. for ‘unlawful policing’ was originally published on wbt.com
