The US Minister of Justice announced on Monday the opening of a federal investigation into the Louisville police force, where agents shot dead a young black woman, Breonna Taylor, in her apartment more than a year ago.
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The investigations are aimed at determining whether law enforcement in this central-eastern Kentucky city "
uses reasonable force
", does not engage in "
illegal checks, searches or searches
", or again "
to discriminatory practices
," Merrick Garland said in a speech. The investigation will also focus on the training provided to Louisville police officers, as well as their supervision and disciplinary procedures in place, added the Democratic minister.
Last week, he launched similar investigations in Minneapolis, the northern metropolis of the United States, where white policeman Derek Chauvin has just been convicted of the murder of African-American George Floyd. The investigations, in the two cities which have become the epicenter of anger against police violence and racism, will be the subject of public reports.
"
If violations are established, the Department of Justice will work with the city and its police to agree on the necessary corrective and preventive measures,
" Garland said. "
If an agreement is not found, the ministry will go to civil justice
" to impose reforms, he added. This procedure has been 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 had given up.
Ms Taylor, a 26-year-old caregiver, was killed on March 13, 2020, when police broke into 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, authorizing them to break down the door without warning.
His new companion believed they were burglars and fired a gunshot with a legally owned gun.
Three officers fired back and Breonna Taylor was shot six times.
At the end of September, the Kentucky justice announced that they would not be prosecuted for the death of the young woman.
Only one of them has been charged with endangering Ms Taylor's neighbors.
