Holder opens probe of Ferguson police

Attorney Gen. Eric Holder on Thursday launched a broad civil rights investigation into police practices in Ferguson, Mo., following last month’s fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

Citing “deep mistrust” that many of the town’s residents hold for its police, Holder said the investigation would center on whether the Ferguson Department has engaged in “systemic violations” of the Constitution or federal law.

{mosads}Holder said his decision to launch an investigation stems from his visit to Ferguson last month in the aftermath of the shooting.

“In meetings and listening sessions — as well as informal conversations — people consistently expressed concerns stemming from specific alleged incidents, from general policing practices, and from the lack of diversity on Ferguson’s police force,” Holder said.

The Justice Department probe, which is separate from the civil rights investigation of the officer who shot 18-year-old Michael Brown, will focus on the training and practices of the predominantly white police force in the Ferguson, where most residents are African-American.

Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who is white, allegedly shot Brown six times during a confrontation on Aug. 9, setting off weeks of violent protests and igniting a national debate on the use of force.