AG Merrick Garland announces DOJ investigation into Minneapolis Police Department
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Wednesday that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in unconstitutional or unlawful policing.
Video transcript
MERRICK GARLAND: Like so many of you, I have closely watched the events in Minnesota. Although the state's prosecution was successful, I know that nothing can fill the void that the loved ones of George Floyd have felt since his death. My heart goes out to them and to all those who have experienced similar loss. I know such wounds have deep roots and that too many communities have experienced those wounds firsthand.
Yesterday's verdict in the state criminal trial does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis. Today, I am announcing that the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing.
This effort will be staffed by experienced attorneys and other personnel from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the US Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota. The new civil investigation is separate from and independent of the federal criminal investigation into the death of George Floyd that the Justice Department has previously announced.
