The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday. This landmark probe represents the most significant federal response to the police killing of George Floyd that sparked global protests and reignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
Pattern and Practice Investigation
The investigation will examine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing. Federal investigators will scrutinize whether officers routinely use excessive force, including during peaceful protests, and whether the department employs discriminatory practices.
"This investigation will assess whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests," Garland stated during a press conference. The probe will also examine whether the department discriminates based on race and fails to provide adequate accountability for officer misconduct.
Building on Previous Reforms
This federal action comes nearly a year after Floyd's death and follows Minnesota's own investigation into the police department. The state's Department of Human Rights had already launched a civil rights probe that remains ongoing.
The DOJ's pattern-or-practice investigation represents a more comprehensive approach than the previous federal review initiated during the Obama administration. That earlier effort resulted in some reforms but fell short of the court-enforceable consent decree that many community activists had sought.
Community Impact and Expectations
Local activists and community leaders have expressed cautious optimism about the federal intervention. Many hope this investigation will lead to substantial, lasting changes in how policing is conducted in Minneapolis and serve as a model for other cities grappling with similar issues.
The investigation is expected to be thorough and could take months to complete. If systemic violations are found, the Justice Department could seek a consent decree with independent monitoring to enforce reforms—a powerful tool that has transformed police departments in other cities like Baltimore and Chicago.
National Implications
This probe signals the Biden administration's renewed commitment to police reform at the federal level. It represents a significant shift from the previous administration's approach to civil rights enforcement and comes as Congress continues to debate the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
The Minneapolis investigation may serve as a template for similar examinations of police departments across the country, particularly as cities nationwide confront demands for meaningful police accountability and reform.
