![With Civil Rights Charges, Justice Dept. Signals Priorities](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2019/12/GettyImages-978075144.jpg?w=980&q=75)
With Civil Rights Charges, Justice Dept. Signals Priorities
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is sending a strong signal about its priorities these days.
![K2 Radio logo](https://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2022/02/attachment-512.jpg?w=100)
Get our free mobile app
In just over the past two weeks, the department has opened investigations of police in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis.
Federal prosecutors have charged four former Minneapolis police officers with civil rights violations in George Floyd’s death, and accused three men of hate crimes in the death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
In both criminal cases, authorities moved forward with federal charges before most of the defendants have gone to state trial.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is making good on his confirmation promise to refocus the department around civil rights.
During the Trump administration, such investigations waned.
Top Restaurants Residents Want Back In Casper
More From K2 Radio
![Natrona County School District Disputes Discrimination Lawsuit Claims](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2020/09/CY-Middle-School-scaled1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Casper Police Asks Public to Use Alternate Non-Emergency Numbers](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2023/04/attachment-Screen-Shot-2023-04-26-at-7.16.20-PM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Security Officer Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Natrona County School District](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2020/10/CY-Middle-School.-Natrona-County-School-District.-10-5-201.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Casper Police Department Recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2022/04/attachment-GettyImages-1192180372.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lawyer: Trump Indicted; 1st Ex-President Charged with Crime](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2020/05/GettyImages-1227623146.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Trump Rallying Supporters in Waco Ahead of Possible Charges](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2022/06/attachment-gettyimages-1230553398-594x594.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Some Trump Rivals Rally to his Side as Possible Charges Loom](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2021/01/Donald-Trump-and-Mike-Pence.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Casper Police Execute Search Warrant at Massage Parlor Due to Suspected ‘Illicit Activity’](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2023/02/attachment-IMG_4603.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![City of Casper to Close Offices, Rec Center at Noon Wednesday](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2020/08/Casper-City-Hall.jpg?w=980&q=75)