The mayor called on U.S. government investigators Wednesday to look into whether this city’s beleaguered police department uses a pattern of excessive force or discriminatory policing. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said even though complaints of excessive force and lawsuits alleging misconduct are down over the last few years, “we all know that Baltimore continues to have a fractured relationship between the police and the community.”

The mayor’s request came a day after new Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited the city and pledged to improve the police department, telling faith and community leaders “we’re here to hold your hands and provide support.”