WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday that the Justice Department is launching an investigation into Minneapolis police policy.
The announcement comes a day after Derek Chauvin was convicted on all three counts in George Floyd’s death last year. The former Minneapolis police officer was found guilty of second and third degree murder and second degree manslaughter, which could put him in prison for the rest of his life.
The verdict, Garland said, “does not address potentially systemic police problems in Minneapolis.” The department opens a civil investigation “to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department is engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or illegal police,” he said.
“The investigation I announce today will assess whether the Minneapolis Police Department is engaging in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests,” Garland said. “The investigation will also assess whether the MPD is guilty of discriminatory behavior and whether the treatment of people with behavioral disorders is illegal.”
The study includes a comprehensive review of police policy, supervision, training and investigation of the use of force, Garland said. If the Department of Justice finds reasonable grounds to believe that there is a pattern or practice of illegal police work, it will publish a public report of its findings.
The Justice Department could also file a civil suit and ask a federal court to order police to change its practices, he said.
“Most of our country’s law enforcement officers are doing their hard work with honor and law,” Garland said. “I strongly believe that good officials do not want to work in systems that allow bad practices. Good officials welcome accountability because accountability is an essential part of building trust in the community and public safety requires public confidence.”
Separately, Garland said Tuesday after Chauvin’s conviction that a federal civil rights investigation into Floyd’s death is underway.
During the Chauvin trial, prosecutors presented to the jury a video taped by bystanders showing Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. Prosecutors argued that Chauvin’s actions caused Floyd to die of asphyxiation.
The video showed Floyd screaming repeatedly, “I can’t breathe.” His death sparked nationwide protests last summer.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Floyd’s family renewed their call after Chauvin’s verdict to Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which the House passed in early March. The bill for police reform that would ban strangleholds and review qualified immunity protections for officers.
Democrats would need at least 10 Republicans to support the Senate legislation for it to pass.
