Elijah Cummings pleas with Justice Dept. to open third investigation into Baltimore, like Ferguson’s

The Department of Justice has been asked by one of Maryland’s top lawmakers to consider opening a pattern or practice investigation into the Baltimore Police Department, in addition to the two current investigations the federal agency is pursuing in the city.

Rep. Elijah Cummings said Wednesday night the request was made on Tuesday, during a conference call with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The Maryland Democrat said he and other state officials spoke with Ms. Lynch about the riots and unrest in Baltimore following the arrest of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who had his voice box crushed and spine nearly severed while in police custody on April 12 and who died a week later.

State officials spoke to Ms. Lynch about the two investigations into the Baltimore Police Department that the Justice Department is in the process of conducting and asked her to look into a possible third investigation, Mr. Cummings said.

Justice Department officials didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry on whether they were considering a third investigation.

They are already conducting a review of the Baltimore police force to see if they can identify deficiencies and recently opened a civil rights investigation into Gray’s death. Should the department launch a pattern or practice investigation, then officials would be able to look at whether the Baltimore police have a habit of violating the Constitution or federal law. Such an investigation was initiated in Ferguson, Missouri, under then Attorney General Eric Holder.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Cummings showed up at North Avenue — one of Baltimore’s worst riot-torn areas and crime-ridden neighborhoods — and urged protesters still lingering in the area to go home.

Mr. Cummings told reporters at the site that his discussion with Ms. Lynch had reassured him and other local officials that Baltimore’s distress was of utmost importance to the Justice Department.

“She made it very clear that it was a top priority for her,” he said.