Kathryn Johnston death spurs APD task force

The investigation into the death of Kathryn Johnston is branching out.

The federal probe is over. Three former Atlanta police officers are serving time for crimes stemming from the botched drug raid that led to the 92-year-old woman’s death in November 2006.

But Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington is creating a special task force to find out whether any other officers violated police procedure in Johnston’s death, he reported in a news statement Tuesday.

“Following this task force’s investigation, it will make recommendations directly to me as to any administrative action which should be taken against any other members of this department,” Pennington wrote.

The announcement came the day after the FBI turned over a report to the Police Department — the contents of which are unclear.

Pennington said in his statement that the FBI gave its’ findings to him on Monday and that no further federal charges are anticipated.

But federal authorities indicated last week that the report was going to address issues different than federal charges. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said it would have recommendations that could lead to state prosecutions or administrative discipline.

Atlanta police Sgt. Lisa Keyes, a police spokeswoman, said Tuesday evening that she had not seen the FBI report and doesn’t know what it says.

FBI spokesman Stephen Emmett said the report includes recommendations “that would prevent something like this from happening,” adding that it addresses policies and practices. He would not elaborate.

Keyes and Emmett both said they would not release the report.