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Federal Judge Orders Probe Into Oakland Police Shootings

OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- A federal judge has ordered a probe into how the Oakland police investigate officer-involved shootings and is threatening to sanction the department if misconduct is found.

U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson on Thursday also ordered city officials to provide more information by next week to show how it will complete already past-due internal affairs investigations relating to last year's Occupy Oakland protests.

Henderson has threatened to fine the city daily if it again misses deadlines to complete those investigations. A city spokeswoman said the city will comply with the court order.

The judge was overseeing police reforms ordered as part of a 2003 settlement involving police misconduct that included nearly $11 million in payments to 119 plaintiffs and attorneys.

Henderson has said he is running out of patience with the pace completing those reforms and may consider placing the department under federal control.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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