US to examine Chicago police use of force

The US Department of Justice will investigate the Chicago Police Department over its handling of the police shooting of a black teenager, following widespread protests.

The US Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Monday confirmed the probe into the shooting, which saw a white police officer, Jason Van Dyke, shoot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times in October 2014.

US authorities will look at the department's use of force, including deadly force, among other issues, she said at a press briefing to announce the civil probe.

"Our goal in this investigation ... is not to focus on individuals but to improve systems," Lynch said.

She said federal officials would be investigating "constitutional violations."

"What we are looking is to see whether or not the police department as a systemic matter has engaged in constitutional violations of policing," Lynch said.

The announcement comes after almost two weeks of controversy and protests in Chicago following the release of a 2014 police squad car dashboard video showing Van Dyke shooting the 17-year-old 16 times. Van Dyke has been charged with murder.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez plans to announce the results of an investigation of another 2014 fatal police shooting later on Monday morning.