This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31720166

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ferguson police racially biased says US Justice Department Ferguson police racially biased says US Justice Department
(35 minutes later)
The US Justice Department has found evidence of racial bias at Ferguson police in Missouri, US media reports.The US Justice Department has found evidence of racial bias at Ferguson police in Missouri, US media reports.
The investigation will reportedly accuse the department of conducting stops without reasonable suspicion and making arrest without probable cause.The investigation will reportedly accuse the department of conducting stops without reasonable suspicion and making arrest without probable cause.
Officials are also conducting a probe of Officer Darren Wilson's actions when he shot unarmed black man Michael Brown last summer, sparking protests. The Justice Department began the civil rights investigation following the August shooting of Michael Brown.
Ferguson has been at the centre of a debate over police bias against blacks. A white police officer killed the unarmed black 18-year-old, sparking protests in Ferguson and nationwide.
The investigation was launched in August after the shooting of Mr Brown by Mr Wilson, who is white. A separate report is expected to clear the officer, Darren Wilson, of any civil rights violations in the shooting of Mr Brown.
That led to protests, sometimes violent, and the demonstrations spread nationwide. Officials announced the findings by speaking anonymously to various US media.
A report detailing the investigations findings could be released as soon as Wednesday, the Associated Press news agency reported. An official announcement is expected on Wednesday.
It is believed that it will accuse the police of using excessive force against blacks and present evidence that black motorists are stopped and searched much more often than white drivers - despite the fact that white drivers are more likely to be carrying contraband. It is believed that will accuse the police of using excessive force against blacks and present evidence that black motorists are stopped and searched much more often than white drivers - despite the fact that white drivers are more likely to be carrying contraband.
It will also allege that blacks are 68% less likely to have their cases dismissed by a judge, and that 95% of people kept at the city's jail for more than two days were black. It will also allege that blacks are 68% less likely to have their cases dismissed by a judge, and that 95% of people kept at the city's jail for more than two days were black, as it presents direct evidence that officers and court workers engage in racial bias.
Investigators found that officials used money from fines to help balance the city's budget, the New York Times reported.
The Justice Department could file a civil rights lawsuit, if officials do not settle the claims out of court.
The protests about police use of force were reignited when a Missouri state grand jury did not recommend charges for Mr Wilson.
Shortly afterwards, President Barack Obama said the protesters' frustrations, "have deep roots in many communities of colour who have a sense that our laws are not always being enforced uniformly or fairly".
The civil rights investigation was announced in September 2014 by Attorney General Eric Holder, the Justice Department's first black leader.
In October, he said the Ferguson police department needed "wholesale change".