Attorney General Merrick Garland arrives for a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, to announce that the Department of Justice is opening an investigation into the city of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

By Michael Balsamo | The Associated Press

PUBLISHED: August 5, 2021 at 1:12 p.m. | UPDATED: August 5, 2021 at 1:17 p.m.

US to probe Phoenix police over excessive force allegations

The Justice Department is launching a widespread probe into the police force in Phoenix to examine whether officers have been using excessive force and abusing people experiencing homelessness.