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 The probe, announced by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, was
requested by Baltimore's mayor in the aftermath of the death of
Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who sustained fatal injuries
while in police custody, and the outrage it sparked in Maryland's
largest city.
The Justice Department has conducted similar reviews of U.S. police
departments. An investigation of police in Ferguson, Missouri, where
a white officer shot dead an unarmed black teenager last year,
concluded in March that the department routinely engaged in racially
biased practices.
Though the Justice Department is already investigating Gray's death
and working with the Baltimore police on reform, Lynch said last
week's protests pointed to the need for an investigation.
"It was clear to a number of people looking at this situation that
the community's rather frayed trust - to use an understatement - was
even worse and has in effect been severed in terms of the
relationship with the police department," Lynch said on Friday.
 The latest investigation will focus on allegations that Baltimore
Police Department officers use excessive force, including deadly
force, conduct unlawful searches, seizures and arrests, and engage
in discriminatory policing, Lynch said.
"If unconstitutional policies or practices are found, we will seek a
court-enforceable agreement to address those issues," she said.
Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings said he asked Lynch for the
investigation to "get to the bottom of the breakdown in trust
between the police and the community."
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a statement her
goal was for the city's police to reform through an enforceable
court order.
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Baltimore's chief prosecutor has brought criminal charges, including
one murder charge, against six officers, three white and three
black, involved in Gray's arrest.
Lynch, who took office last week, traveled to the largely black city
on Tuesday to meet with Gray's family as well as thank officers for
their work during the protests.
Any findings of the investigation would result in civil rather than
criminal charges. Departments that have been found in violation of
civil rights in the past have had to enter into court-ordered
improvement plans, which can include an independent monitor,
required reporting of arrest data and training for officers.
(Reporting by Julia Edwards, Lindsay Dunsmuir, Bill Trott, Susan
Heavey and Peter Cooney; Editing by Bill Trott and Ted Botha)
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