On Wednesday morning, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Department of Justice has opened up a civil investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. The inquiry will determine if there is a “pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing.” Watch above.
Garland pledged to examine if the MPD uses “excessive force, including during protests.” The DOJ probe will also focus on the treatment of people with behavioral health disabilities and whether officers engage in discriminatory conduct.
“Yesterday’s verdict … does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis,” Garland said a day after Derek Chauvin, a former MPD officer, was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. The verdict was a moment of catharsis for the Black community, but it falls short of addressing systemic issues. Garland said “The challenges we face are deeply woven into our history… Building trust between community and law enforcement will take time and effort by all of us. But we undertake this task with determination and urgency, knowing that change cannot wait.”
The Associated Press provides more context:
The Justice Department is already investigating whether Chauvin and the other officers involved in Floyd’s death violated his civil rights. The investigation being announced Wednesday is known as a “pattern or practice” and will be a more sweeping probe of the entire department and may result in major changes to policing there, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
In his speech announcing the investigation, Garland said his team would speak to all voices, including members of the public and police officers. “Most of our nation’s law enforcement officers do their difficult jobs honorably and lawfully. I strongly believe that good officers do not want to work in systems that allow bad practices. Good officers welcome accountability,” he said.