AG Garland Launches Probe Into Minneapolis Police Department

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the Justice Department will investigate the policies and operations of the Minneapolis Police Department, a day after the former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd. The outcome of Chauvin's trial “does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis,” Garland said Wednesday. Garland said the investigation will examine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in "unconstitutional" or unlawful policing, which includes "a pattern or practice of using excessive force,” and examine the force’s “current systems of accountability” for officers accused of misconduct. Garland promised to issue a public report and bring a civil lawsuit if any misconduct was found. This comes after the Minneapolis city council approved $6.4 million to the city police department for more police recruits in February, after a June proposal to eliminate the city’s police department fell apart. The story received consistent coverage across the political spectrum; outlets from the left- and center- provided analysis and speculation as to what this could mean for police misconduct in the future.