US justice department to investigate racial bias in Memphis policing

Civil pattern and practice inquiry comes after claims of brutality and discrimination, including death of Tyre Nichols in January

The US Department of Justice has announced an investigation into the city of Memphis and the Memphis police department (MPD) over its policing practices to examine if they are discriminatory.

The civil pattern or practice investigation will determine if Memphis police violated federal laws or the US constitution. The announcement comes after the police department came under scrutiny for its use of force, stops, searches and arrests that often targeted people of color.