In news that will surely have Chicago’s corrupt police force on edge, the Justice Department announced a wide-ranging federal civil rights probe of the entire police department of Baltimore
Newly appointed Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated the investigation was necessary due to “a serious erosion of public trust” in troubled police force.
“This investigation will begin immediately, and will focus on allegations that Baltimore Police Department officers use excessive force, including deadly force; conduct unlawful searches, seizures and arrests; and engage in discriminatory policing,” said Lynch at her first news conference. “We will examine whether they violated the Constitution and the community’s civil rights.”
Lynch described the “fractured trust” between police and communities as “an understatement.”
Police union president Gene Ryan said the union “welcomed the involvement of the Department of Justice and look forward to working with their representatives to heal the wounds of our city, and to improve the relationship between the community and our Department.”
The justice department will be looking for a “pattern or practice” of discriminatory policing.
Investigations into the specific circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray’s death will continue alongside the DOJ probe.
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