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Attorney General Lynch meets with Freddie Gray's family, pledges police reform

Attorney General Loretta Lynch says that the FBI and the Justice Department are investigating Freddie Gray's death for potential civil rights violations.

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Jose Luis Magana/REUTERS
Attorney General Loretta Lynch (r.), accompanied by Baltimore police Commissioner Anthony Batts, speaks to Baltimore police officers during a visit to the Central District of Baltimore Police Department in Baltimore, Maryland May 5, 2015.
  • By Brian Witte Associated Press

| Baltimore

Attorney General Loretta Lynch pledged Tuesday to improve the city's police department after meeting with the family of a man who was fatally injured in police custody.

"We're here to hold your hands and provide support," Lynch said in a meeting with faith and community leaders, including members of Congress.

The new attorney general met privately at the University of Baltimore with Freddie Gray's family, days after the state's attorney charged six police officers involved in Gray's arrest. Gray's injury in police custody and death a week later sparked protests and riots that prompted Maryland's governor to bring in the National Guard.

Lynch was joined by the head of the Civil Rights Division, Vanita Gupta, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Director Ronald Davis and Community Relations Service Director Grande Lum.

The FBI and the Justice Department are investigating Gray's death for potential civil rights violations. The Justice Department is expected to release results of a separate review of the police department's use of force practices in the coming weeks.

Lynch met with Reps. Elijah Cummings, John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersberger and Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin.

"Last week was very painful for the people of Baltimore," Cardin told Lynch.

The attorney general told the group that it was inspiring to see people come together to reclaim the city.

"This is a flashpoint situation," Lynch said. "We lost a young man's life and it begins to represent so many things."

Lynch met privately with Police Commissioner Anthony Batts at police headquarters. She then met about a dozen officers who had been on the streets when violence broke out, telling them they joined a noble profession.

"We are here to help you work through these struggles," Lynch said. "To all of you on the front lines, I want to thank you. You really have become the face of law enforcement. "

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