Department Of Justice Launches Investigation

One day after the jury found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of George Floyd’s death, the Justice Department has launched an investigation. According to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the federal civil probe will look into policing practices in Minneapolis. It will determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department has “a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing” and will include a comprehensive review of the departments policies, training, supervision and use of force investigations. It will also assess whether the department uses excessive force or engages in discriminatory conduct. The investigation is separate from an independent federal criminal investigation into Floyd’s death that is ongoing.

After the verdict was released, Chauvin was taken to the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights and put into the prison’s segregated housing unit for his own safety and is on ‘administrative segregation’ status. The facility is located in Stillwater about 25 miles East of Minneapolis. Chauvin will remain there until his sentencing in 8 weeks. He could face up to 40 years behind bars for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for manslaughter.