Justice Dept. launches investigation of Baltimore police

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has announced a Justice Department investigation into the Baltimore police department.

Lynch made the announcement on Friday, several days after she visited the city and met with the mayor and other city and community leaders.

The investigation will look for unconstitutional policing practices within the city, such as patterns of excessive force or improper stops and searches.

Federal authorities are conducting a separate investigation into the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died last month after suffering grave injuries. The death set off riots in the city, and Baltimore’s top prosecutor has brought charges against six police officers.

Baltimore city officials last fall requested a voluntary Justice Department review of the police force. The mayor this week requested a full-fledged civil rights investigation.

ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press