(Washington) On Monday, the US Department of Justice announced the opening of a federal investigation into the Louisville Police Department, in which officers killed a young black woman, Briona Taylor, in her apartment more than a year ago.
Merrick Garland said the investigations were aimed at determining whether Kentucky City Police were “reasonably using force,” or not participating in “unlawful surveillance, searches or searches,” or “discriminatory practices.”
The attorney general added that the investigation will also focus on the training provided to Louisville police officers, as well as the supervisory and disciplinary measures in place.
Last week, he launched a similar investigation in Minneapolis, the northern capital of the United States, where white cop Derek Chauvin was just convicted of killing African American George Floyd.
Investigations in the two cities, which have become hotbeds of anger against police violence and racism, will be the subject of public reports.
“If violations are found, the Department of Justice will work with the city and its police to agree on the necessary corrective and preventive measures,” Garland said. He added, “If no agreement is reached, the ministry will go to the civilian judiciary” to impose reforms.
This measure was used on several occasions by the administration of former President Barack Obama, notably in Chicago, Baltimore, and New Orleans. But his Republican successor, Donald Trump, has given up.
George Floyd, a 40-year-old black, died on May 25, 2020, after having injured Derek Chauvin’s knee on his neck for more than nine minutes. Convicted of murder after a resounding trial, the punishment for the police officer will be set on June 16.
MI Taylor, 26, a caregiver, was killed on March 13, 2020, when police stormed her home in the middle of the night as part of an investigation against her ex-boyfriend. They were provided with a so-called “no-knock” warrant, which allows them to break the door without warning.
Archives provided by Taylor’s family attorney via AP
Briona Taylor
His new companion thought they were thieves and fired a bullet from a legally owned pistol. Three officers returned fire and Briona Taylor was injured six times.
At the end of September, a Kentucky judge announced that they would not be prosecuted for the young woman’s death. Only one of them was accused of endangering M’s neighborsI Taylor.
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