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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates will lead an independent investigation into a report that Minneapolis police officers have repeatedly asked medical responders to sedate people with the powerful tranquilizer ketamine.
Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Yates' appointment Friday.
In a statement, Frey said Yates' record "speaks for itself. She has dedicated her life to unearthing the truth, and delivering justice."
Yates says Minneapolis has pledged to fully cooperate.
"We have been entrusted to review this important matter fairly and impartially, and to call it like we see it, and that's exactly what we're going to do," said Yates, who announced in May she was returning to the Atlanta-based law firm where she began her legal career more than 30 years ago.
A draft report obtained by the Star Tribune said the drug caused heart or breathing failure in some instances and suspects had to be revived or intubated.
The Minneapolis Office of Police Conduct investigation found the number of documented ketamine injections during police calls increased from three in 2012 to 62 last year.
In the statement, Arradondo said Yates will examine the Minneapolis Police Department's protocols and duty interactions with local Emergency Management Services personnel.
Yates was a high-ranking Justice Department official at the end of the Obama administration and acting attorney general under President Donald Trump until she was fired for not defending the travel ban executive order.
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