On Nov. 29, more than 100 officers and dozens of cruisers engaged in a chase of two apparently unarmed suspects. Following the chase, police fired as many as 140 bullets at the suspects, killing them both.

The incident stirred public outrage, and the city began an internal investigation that is ongoing. But Mayor Frank Jackson also requested the independent Justice Department probe to foster community faith in the process.

“It’s vitally important to us that there’s a level of trust between the police and the community. There are times when that trust is challenged and accusations are made. We want to bring clarity to the situation.”

A wider scope
The Justice Department probe goes beyond the Nov. 29^th chase and shooting.

Thomas Perez, the assistant U.S. Attorney General for the department’s civil division, is heading the investigation. He says it will include an examination of records of alleged excessive force by the Cleveland police that go back several years.

“We’re focused on CPD as a whole; we’re not looking at individual officers. We’re looking at systems issues here. We’re looking for a pattern or practice of excessive force by CPD, and if there is (a pattern), we’ll work to correct it with a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable reform.”

Perez says the investigation could take more than a year and will include ride-alongs with Cleveland police officers. His division will also request information from the public. He stresses that no criminal charges will result.

Warren, Ohio, and other efforts
The Ohio Attorney General’s office also conducted an investigation that concluded the November incident was a “systemic failure” of the Cleveland Police Department.  That report is now in the hands of the Cuyahoga County prosecutor, who will decide if criminal charges are warranted.

The U.S. Justice Department became involved in excessive force investigations following the 1991 Los Angeles police beating of Rodney King. The department has recently reached agreements with police departments in Seattle, Portland, Ore., New Orleans and Warren, Ohio.