Justice Department to Probe Baltimore Police Over Constitutional Violations

The Justice Department announced Friday that it will be opening a federal investigation into the Baltimore, Maryland police department to see if officers routinely violated constitutional freedoms.

Newly-appointed Attorney General Loretta Lynch confirmed Friday that the department would be conducting a "pattern or practice" investigation to determine whether the police department had discriminatory practices or used excess force, among other issues.

"Our goal is to work with the community, public officials, and law enforcement alike to create a stronger, better Baltimore," Lynch said in a press conference on Friday. "Ultimately, this process is meant to ensure that officers are being provided with the tools they need – including training, policy guidance and equipment – to be more effective, to partner with civilians, and to strengthen public safety."

Earlier this week, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on the Justice Department to conduct the investigation, saying that there exists a "fractured'' trust between the local police department and the Baltimore community.

"We have to make sure we get this right,'' the mayor said. "Failure is not an option.''

"We all know that Baltimore continues to have a fractured relationship between the police and the community," Rawlings-Blake added.

The call for an investigation comes after days of protest by the Baltimore community following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal cord injury after being arrested in late April.

Six police officers have been criminally charged for their involvement in Gray's death, with charges ranging from murder and manslaughter to assault.