(Cleveland) - The Justice Department has launched a review of the Cleveland Police Department. The goal is to determine if there is a pattern or practice of excessive force.

It's being done at the request of Mayor Frank Jackson and other community leaders.

Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath, Safety Director Martin Flask, Assist. U.S. Attorney Thomas Perez, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach, Mayor Frank Jackson.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez for the Civil Rights Division says the review is focused on systems within the department and will not target any specific officer. He says their preliminary investigation covered several years.

Perez says the review was not in response to any single incident, but it does follow the deadly police chase last November. 13 officers fired 137 rounds, killing two unarmed people.

The review is expected to take "as long as necessary" and Perez would not give a specific timeline for completion. The goal is to figure out if reforms are needed in the CPD. 

Mayor Jackson says the investigation is necessary to maintain trust between the people of Cleveland and the officers who are sworn to protect them.

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