WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether police officials in Washington, D.C., have falsified crime data, according to a person familiar with the probe who wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss an open investigation.

The Department of Justice is investigating whether police in Washington, D.C., manipulated crime data and statistics.

The Justice Department is investigating whether D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department manipulated crime data to make crime rates appear lower, two senior law enforcement officials tell NBC News.