Attorney General Holder 'prepared' to dismantle Ferguson police department 'if necessary'

Attorney General Eric Holder addressed the Wednesday report from the Department of Justice that described a chronic pattern of racial bias within Ferguson, Missouri's police department, The Washington Post reports.

"We are prepared to use all the powers that we have…to ensure that the situation changes there," Holder said on Friday. "That means everything from working with them to coming up with an entirely new structure. If (dismantling the department) is necessary, we’re prepared to do that."

Ferguson officials are attempting to reach a settlement with the Justice Department; if the city does not change its practices to the government's satisfaction, the government can bring a civil rights lawsuit against Ferguson, the Post notes.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up