US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a Justice Department investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, in Washington DC, on Wednesday.

"Today I am announcing that the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing," said Garland.

"This effort will be staffed by experienced attorneys and other personnel from the justice department civil rights division and the US attorney's office for the district of Minnesota," explained Garland.

He highlighted that this investigation is separate and independent from the federal criminal investigation into the death of George Floyd.

The probe will examine whether the department "engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests," according to the attorney general, and will include "a comprehensive review of the Minneapolis Police Department's policies, training, supervision and use of force investigations."

He noted that a public report will be issued if "the Justice Department concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe that there is a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing."

The announcement came a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the second degree murder of George Floyd, as well as two other charges relating to his death.