The United States Department of Justice is ready to charge in court the Ferguson Police Department in Missouri over alleged discriminatory practices against ethnic minorities.

CNN reports the case may include allegations that the Ferguson Police often targetted blacks and other minorities when they issue fines for minor traffic violations in their area.

Like Us on Facebook

CNN also gathers that the cops would send to jail the persons they catch for traffic infraction, if they fail to pay the fines.

The move of the U.S. Department of Justice may still be averted, however, if Ferguson Police would be willing to review its alleged maltreatment of minorities in their district and implement reforms.  

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr has no comment on the report.

The attitude of the Ferguson Police toward minorities, especially among blacks, has been under intense scrutiny since August last year, following the fatal shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. The latter's death led to a series of protests in Ferguson.

Darren Wilson, the Ferguson cop who shot Brown, has left police force. He was was spared from any charges stemming from the shooting incident after a St. Louis County grand jury decided against his prosecution.

Nevertheless, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is investigating the civil rights aspect of Brown's case. Holder is set to leave his office soon, but he promises to finish the probe before he steps down.

Should the Ferguson Police agree to put in place policies that are meant to curb alleged discriminatory practices being committed by its members, the next step that the U.S. Department of Justice will take is to ask the court to supervise the changes that Ferguson Police will undertake.

TagsFerguson, michael brown, racial discrimination, anti-police sentiment, Ferguson Police