DoJ to investigate Minneapolis police – but can federal oversight change policing culture?

As the experience of Portland shows, federal intervention in city policing shows real reform is far from guaranteed

Seven years ago, the city of Portland, Oregon was forced to admit that its police officers were shooting too many unarmed people, and it agreed to a program of reform under the oversight of a federal judge.

Last month, the US justice department declared Portland police were failing to comply with the agreement after its officers used excessive force against demonstrators - including firing impact munitions against people suspected of having furtive" conversations - following the death of George Floyd.