US Attorney General Loretta Lynch has ordered a federal investigation of the Baltimore Police department.
The move comes in response to alleged police brutality and discrimination, following the recent death of Freddie Gray, a young black man who died in police custody.
The US justice chief said relations between the community and the police was one of the most challenging issues in modern day America.
The probe was announced as Baltimore reported nine shootings in a 24 hour period on Thursday, including two that were fatal.
Loretta Lynch signaled that the investigation needs to get to the bottom of police treatment of blacks.
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