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The Department of Justice will launch an investigation of the San Francisco Police Department, nearly two months after officers fatally shot Mario Woods. Jackie Ward reports. (2/1/16)

Days before the federal government announced a probe of the San Francisco Police in the shooting death of Mario Woods, the department’s officers took a pledge to stamp out racism and intolerance.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Department of Justice will investigate San Francisco police following Wood’s death, which was captured on cell phone video, and after another instance when cops shared homophobic and racist text messages.

Woods died last month when he was shot up to 25 times by officers during a confrontation, sparking protests and calls for the firing of San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr, the report notes.

Via the Times

John Burris, the lawyer for Woods’ family, has said he asked the Justice Department to investigate the five officers who shot Woods. He said they acted like a “firing squad.”  

“This is a golden opportunity for everyone to take a look at the San Francisco Police Department,” Burris said at a news conference earlier this month.

Those expected to be at Monday’s news conference include Suhr; San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee; Brian Stretch, the acting U.S. attorney for the northern district of California; and Ronald Davis, director of the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.  

Meanwhile, the San Francisco police last week announced plans to fight racism in the ranks by taking a pledge to report colleagues who display intolerant behavior, including slurs and jokes targeting people of color, gays and women, reports San Francisco CBS.

The vow is part of a broader effort by the department to overhaul its image in communities of color, most recently after the Woods video.

Do you think the pledge will break through the blue wall of silence, which has enabled brutality for decades? Sound off in the comments.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, San Francisco CBS | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform

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Mario Woods: San Francisco Police Angry Over City Honor For Black Man Slain By Cops

Family Of Mario Woods Demands Federal Probe Into Police Killing

San Francisco Police Take Oath To Stamp Out Racism & Intolerance Amid DOJ Probe  was originally published on newsone.com