News Review - U.S. Police Racism

The US Justice Department has announced a civil investigation into the practices of the Minneapolis police department, a day after former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering African-American George Floyd. Merrick Garland added that the civil investigation will examine whether the police systematically engaged in the use of excessive force, including during legal protests. He said the probe will also assess whether there was a pattern of discrimination and unlawful treatment of people with behavioral health disabilities. The attorney general said if evidence of a pattern of unlawful practices is found, the investigation could possibly lead to a civil lawsuit. He noted that the lawsuit will then seek to compel Minneapolis to undertake sweeping reforms of its police department.