Justice Department to Investigate Minneapolis Police Following George Floyd Case

The announcement comes a day after former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of the three charges against him for the death of George Floyd in May 2020

Photo: KEREM YUCEL / AFP / Getty Images

Attorney General Merrick Garland will announce Wednesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Policies , as reported by officials.

The announcement occurs one day after the ex-agent Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three counts in the death of George Floyd in May 2020. He was convicted of murder in the second and third degree, as well as murder in the second degree, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

The verdict, According to Garland, “ does not address police issues potentially systemic in Minneapolis ”. The department is opening a civil investigation “to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department is engaging in an unconstitutional or illegal policing pattern or practice,” it said.

“The investigation that I am announcing today will evaluate whether the Minneapolis Police Department, engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force , even during the protests, ”Garland said. “The investigation will also assess whether MPD engages in discriminatory conduct and whether its treatment of people with mental health disabilities is illegal.”

The investigation will involve a thorough review of the police department’s use of force policies, oversight, training and investigations, Garland said. If the Department of Justice finds reasonable grounds to believe that an illegal policing pattern or practice exists, will issue a report public with its conclusions .

The Department of Justice also

could file a civil lawsuit , asking a federal court to order the police department to change its practices, he said.

“Most police officers Our country’s law does their difficult job honorably and legally, ”Garland said. “ I firmly believe that good agents do not want to work in systems that allow bad practices . Good officers welcome accountability because it is an essential part of building trust with the community and public safety requires public trust. ”

Separately, Garland said Tuesday, following Chauvin’s conviction, that a federal civil rights investigation into Floyd’s death is underway.

During the trial, Prosecutors presented the jury with a video recorded by bystanders that showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. Prosecutors argued that Chauvin’s actions caused Floyd’s death by suffocation.

The video showed Floyd repeatedly yelling, “I can’t breathe.” His death sparked protests across the country last summer. <

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and members of Floyd’s family insisted on his call, after Chauvin’s verdict, so that Congress enacts the George Floyd Police Justice Act , which the House approved in early March. The police reform bill would prohibit choke keys and revise qualified immunity protections for law enforcement officers.

Democrats would need at least 10 Republicans will support the bill in the Senate for approval.

By Rebecca Shabad – NBC News