U.S. Justice Department to Announce Baltimore Police Investigation
WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Justice is planning to announce an investigation into the practices of the Baltimore Police Department, law enforcement officials said.
Sources told The Washington Post Attorney General Loretta Lynch could announce an investigation as soon as Friday. The New York Times confirmed the news.
The move comes one day after Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on the DOJ to fully investigate the city’s police force to determine what “systemic challenges exist in our department.” She said she discussed the request Tuesday with Lynch, who was visiting the city with a team of officials from the DOJ.
The Baltimore Police Department came under heightened scrutiny after 25-year-old Freddie Gray sustained a fatal injury allegedly while in police custody. His death April 19 prompted weeks of protests and one day of more violent riots and looting.
Six police officers involved with Gray’s arrested were charged Friday with a number of charges, including one who is accused of second-degree murder.
Lynch alluded to a possible investigation Thursday during testimony on Capitol Hill. She said she would decide “in the coming days” whether to launch an inquiry.
