Judge approves deal to reform Ferguson justice system

A federal judge on Tuesday approved a settlement between the city of Ferguson, Mo., and the U.S. Justice Department that focuses on changes to policing and courts in Ferguson, The Associated Press reports.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued the ruling Tuesday after more than 20 people spoke at a public hearing in St. Louis. 

The settlement includes calls for hiring a monitor, diversity training for police, new software and staff to analyze records on arrests and use of force, and body cameras for all police and corrections officers, according to the AP.

{mosads}The ruling comes after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer in 2014. His death sparked days of rioting. The police officer who shot Brown, Darren Wilson, was cleared by a grand jury and the Justice Department. 

The DOJ launched an investigation that found racial bias in policing and profiling in the criminal justice system in Ferguson.

Perry said Tuesday the settlement is a “reasonable resolution.”

“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest and I think it’s in the interest of justice,” she said.

Mayor James Knowles III said the agreement “is an important step in bringing this community together and moving us forward.”

Christy Lopez of the Justice Department said she wants “Ferguson to be known for how it responded to this crisis” and “how it came back stronger than ever.”