“Chicago Tonight” has learned that U.S. Department of Justice officials are scheduled to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday as the civil rights investigation into the police department gets underway.

A Chicago police spokesperson says the officials are set to meet with Interim Superintendent John Escalante and other top brass at CPD headquarters, located at 35th and Michigan, throughout the day.

In a statement to "Chicago Tonight" Tuesday evening, the CPD said:

The Chicago Police Department welcomes the meeting requested by the Department of Justice, and pledges the City’s complete and full cooperation. Our mutual goal is to create a stronger, better Police Department that keeps the community safe while respecting the civil rights of every Chicagoan.

The investigation could take years, based upon the time frame of similar investigations performed in Baltimore, Cleveland, and Ferguson, Missouri.

The investigation is headed up by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights division. “Chicago Tonight” reported on Friday that Gupta and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Zachary Fardon met with Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo, questioning him about the police union contract.

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