US justice department to open police probe after Floyd verdict
The US Justice Department is opening a sweeping investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced yesterday.
The decision comes a day after the former officer, Derek Chauvin, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd last May. Floyd’s death had led to months of mass protests against policing and the treatment of black people in the United States.
The Justice Department was already investigating whether Chauvin and the other officers involved in Floyd’s death violated his civil rights.
The new investigation is known as a “pattern or practice” — examining whether there is a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing — and will be a more sweeping review of the entire police department. It may result in major changes to policing in the Minnesota city.
It will examine the use of force by police officers, including force used during protests, and whether the department engages in discriminatory practices.
It will also look into the department’s handling of misconduct allegations and its treatment of people with behavioural health issues and will assess the department’s current systems of accountability, Garland said.
The Minneapolis police said in a statement that the chief, Medaria Arradondo “welcomes this investigation” and will fully co-operate with federal prosecutors.