Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to disclose the findings of the Justice Department’s comprehensive investigation into the Minneapolis police department, which was initiated following the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of officers in the city, Your Content has learned.
According to Reuters, the announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
The demise of George Floyd sparked a series of widespread protests across the nation, ultimately leading to the convictions of several police officers implicated in his ill-fated arrest.
The Justice Department’s inquiry was launched subsequent to the 2021 conviction of Derek Chauvin, the officer directly responsible for Floyd’s untimely demise.
While the exact details of the Justice Department’s findings remain undisclosed, early indicators paint a troubling picture. Last year, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights revealed evidence of systemic racial discrimination within the police force of the state’s largest city.
This included disproportionately targeting Black individuals for stops and arrests, tolerating racist language among officers, and employing excessive force against people of color.
In March of this year, the city council approved a court-enforceable agreement with the state to instigate comprehensive reform within the Minneapolis police department.
The unanimous 11-0 vote came after several council members expressed scathing criticism of both the police department and other city leaders for their historic failures.
The agreement aims to address the persistent lack of accountability and prevent city officials from evading responsibility.
The investigation by the state agency was initiated promptly after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, callously knelt on George Floyd’s neck for an agonizing nine and a half minutes, despite Floyd’s desperate pleas for breath.
The incident ignited widespread protests worldwide and reignited the call for justice within the Black Lives Matter movement. Consequently, the Minneapolis police department embarked on a comprehensive overhaul.
Chauvin was subsequently convicted of murder, and he, along with three other officers present at the scene, is currently serving prison sentences.
The announcement by Attorney General Merrick Garland at 11 a.m. is highly anticipated as it will reveal the results of the federal investigation.
On a separate note, the Supreme Court is expected to release its opinions on Thursday, June 22. However, today the court released two opinions, both of which focused on minor aspects of federal law, according The Guardian.