St. Anthony asks to join DOJ program after police shooting

Protesters stand on I-94, ignoring police orders.
Ignoring police orders, demonstrators stand on Interstate 94 on July 9 to protest the police shooting of Philando Castile.
Christopher Juhn for MPR News file

City officials say St. Anthony has asked to join a federal program after one of its police officers fatally shot a black man this summer.

The St. Paul suburb said Wednesday the Department of Justice is reviewing its application to be included in the Collaborative Reform Initiative. The program aims to help cities improve trust between police and communities they serve.

St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez shot Philando Castile during a July 6 traffic stop in nearby Falcon Heights. The shooting's aftermath was streamed live on Facebook by Castile's girlfriend.

St. Anthony already is taking a closer look at possible racial bias in its police department. Minnesota investigators looking into Castile's death have turned their findings over to a county prosecutor who will review the case for possible charges.

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