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AG Merrick Garland announces DOJ probe of Minneapolis Police Department

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Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday a Justice Department probe into the Minneapolis Police Department after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on Tuesday of all charges in the death of George Floyd.

A video of the incident showed Chauvin, who was arresting Floyd at the time, with his knee on Floyd’s neck as Floyd said multiple times “I can’t breathe.” Despite Floyd’s desperate calls, Chauvin didn’t let up the pressure for nearly nine minutes and Floyd died in police custody.

“The investigation I’m announcing today will assess whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests,” Garland said. “The investigation will also assess whether the MPD engages in discriminatory conduct and whether its treatment of those with behavioral health disabilities is unlawful.”

He added, “It will include a comprehensive review of the Minneapolis Police Department’s policies, training, supervision, and use of force investigations. It will assess the effectiveness of the MPD’s current systems of accountability and whether other mechanisms are needed to ensure constitutional and lawful policing.”

On Tuesday, a jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter.

“The jury in the state trial of Derek Chauvin has fulfilled its civic duty and rendered a verdict convicting him on all counts. While the state’s prosecution was successful, I know that nothing can fill the void that the loved ones of George Floyd have felt since his death. The Justice Department has previously announced a federal civil rights investigation into the death of George Floyd. This investigation is ongoing,” said Garland in a Tuesday response to the jury’s decision.

The DOJ didn’t immediately respond to this reporter’s request for comment. The story will be updated if and when a statement is provided.

“If the Justice Department concludes that there’s reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing, we will issue a public report of our conclusions,” said Garland.

Concluding his remarks, Garland emphasized his respect for law enforcement, emphasizing that the majority of them are good officers.

“Most of our nation’s law enforcement officers do their difficult jobs honorably and lawfully. I strongly believe that good officers do not want to work in systems that allow bad practices. Good officers welcome accountability because accountability is an essential part of building trust with the community and public safety requires public trust.”

You can follow Jennie Taer on Twitter @JennieSTaer

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Immigration

FL authorities seize boat carrying Haitian illegals, guns and drugs; on high alert after mass prison break

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Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced Friday that authorities have seized a vessel off the coast that was carrying Haitian illegals, guns, and drugs. “Our Florida Fish and Wildlife offices interdicted a vessel that had 25 illegal immigrants, potential illegal immigrants from Haiti in their boat. In their vessel they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear and were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks,” the governor said, reported by Fox News.

“That vessel was interdicted near the Sebastian Inlet and those illegal aliens were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation,” DeSantis added. The Sebastian Inlet is a narrow waterway north of Vero Beach that links the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon.

Just The News notes Haiti’s recent unrest:

Haitian gangs staged a mass prison break and freed roughly 3,700 inmates. Prime Minister Ariel Henry subsequently resigned and the chaos has prompted concerns of a surge in maritime attempts at entry into the U.S.

DeSantis ordered the deployment of more than 250 personnel to the southern coast of Florida ahead of the expect surge in attempted Haitian entries last week. In January of last year, DeSantis activated the National Guard to aid federal authorities in responding to a surge in arrivals to the Florida Keys from Cuba, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations.

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