Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Thursday that the Department of Justice will open a probe into the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix to determine if their use of force policies violated individuals’ Constitutional rights, KNXV ABC-15 in Phoenix reports.

In what’s known as a “pattern or practice” investigation, the DOJ’s Civil Rights division will investigate use-of-force incidents involving the police department.  It will also look into allegations that the department engages in retaliatory activity against people for conduct protected by the First Amendment; the department engages in discriminatory policing; and the department unlawfully seizes or disposes of the belongings of individuals experiencing homelessness.

“When we conduct pattern or practice investigations to determine whether the Constitution or federal law has been violated, our aim is to promote transparency and accountability,” Garland said. “This increases public trust, which in turn increases public safety. We know that law enforcement shares these goals.”

A pattern or practice probe looks for a regular commonality among the various episodes in which the police department used force to determine if police officers and/or leadership encourage or tolerate specific types of violence undertaken by its officers.

“One of the highest priorities of the Civil Rights Division is to ensure that every person in this country benefits from policing that is lawful, effective, transparent, and free from discrimination,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. “Police officers across the country must use their authority in a manner that adheres to the Constitution, complies with federal civil rights laws and respects human dignity.”