CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -
The Department of Justice says it has opened a pattern investigation into excessive use of force by Cleveland Police Department officers.
It is a systemic probe not tied to any one incident.
Last November, more than 60 police cars chased a man and a woman in car after a report of shots fired. They wouldn't stop. The chase went on for 22 minutes, and it ended with police killing the driver and passenger with 137 shots.
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas Perez said during a Thursday morning news conference that a full civil rights investigation is warranted.
"We do not pre-judge our investigation, rather gather all available facts," Perez said. "It's very straightforward to determine the truth."
"This is a civil, not criminal, investigation. We are focused on CPD as a whole, not individual officers," Perez added.
Perez also invited the community to be involved by emailing Community.cleveland@usdoj.gov or calling 202-307-6479.
"We welcome the investigation," said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. "We welcome it because it's of vital importance to have trust between Division of Police and the community as a whole."
"Our goal is to have confidence between that Division and the public that they are to serve."
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