AG set to investigate Baltimore police for bias
Feds to review claims of excessive force, unlawful arrests after the death of Freddie Gray
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is launching a wide-ranging in- vestigation into the operations of the Baltimore Police Department to determine whether officers engage in a pattern of biased law enforcement, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Friday.
WASHINGTON Department ranging erations investigation of theis launching Baltimore The into a the Justice Police wide-op-eration Department er biased officers law enforcement ,engage to determine in a pattern Attorney wheth- of General Friday. Loretta Lynch said public Citing trust, ”a “serious the attorney erosion general of said ately authorities begin to review would allegations immedi-of searches, excessive seizures force and and arrests. unlawful
“If unconstitutional policies or practices are found,” Lynch said, “we will seek a court-enforceable agreement to address those issues.”
Lynch’s action comes after a round of meetings earlier this week in Baltimore, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake later requested the broad federal inquiry in an effort to reform the troubled department. The mayor’s request for the Justice Department’s involvement was endorsed by the Maryland congressional delegation.
The Justice review would be separate from an ongoing federal inquiry into the fatal police encounter with Freddie Gray, who died last month in police custody.
The 25-year-old man’s death prompted days of violent protests in the city.
Six Baltimore officers have been charged in connection with Gray’s death April 19, one week after he suffered a severe spinal injury during or immediately after his arrest.