Steve Neavling

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said Tuesday he’s optimistic the city can avoid a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit over police reforms, the Seattle Times reports.

City attorney Pete Holmes said the DOJ will sue by the end of the month if an agreement on police reforms is not reached.

The cause of the holdup is unclear.

The Justice Department raised concerns about the Seattle Police Department repeatedly using unconstitutional force and is negotiating a court-monitored consent decree.