- It’s the second "pattern or practice" investigation the DOJ has announced in a week’s span, after it said it would probe Minneapolis last week.
What he's saying: The DOJ will look at whether the department has engaged in a "pattern or practice" of civil rights violations or unlawful activity, according to Garland.
- "Trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve" is the key to safety.
- The DOJ will work with the department to increase transparency and accountability, Garland said. "We come to them as partners, knowing that we share a common aim."
The DOJ plans to investigate:
- The use of unreasonable force, including incidents involving peaceful protesters.
- Unconstitutional stops, searches and seizures.
- Unlawful search warrants in private homes.
- Discriminatory conduct on the basis of race.
If violations are uncovered, the DOJ will work with the department to arrive at "mutually agreeable steps" to correct and prevent unlawful practices.
- The DOJ will follow the law and the facts "wherever they lead," Garland said.
The big picture: The announcement comes one week after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, signaling a shift in future prosecutions of police brutality cases.
Go deeper:6 police killings occurred in the 24 hours after verdict in Chauvin trial
