The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney General Lisa D. Moreno during a press conference held earlier today in the nation’s capital. The probe will be conducted by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

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Pattern of alleged misconduct sparks federal inquiry

The investigation was prompted by several high-profile incidents, including a widely circulated video from April showing Rivergate police officers using what appears to be disproportionate force during a routine traffic stop involving two unarmed Black teenagers. The incident led to weeks of protests and national outcry.

Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and NAACP, submitted extensive documentation to federal officials over the past six months, citing dozens of cases that involved alleged abuse, wrongful arrests, and a lack of accountability within the Rivergate Police Department.

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Community outrage and protest

Community activists and residents in Rivergate’s Northside and Eastwood neighborhoods, which are predominantly communities of color, have been demanding reform for years. Demonstrations erupted again over the weekend after new body camera footage surfaced, showing officers using tasers on a mentally ill man during a welfare check.