A federal judge has ruled that the Columbus Police should not use force against nonviolent protesters.

Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio released the 88-page opinion on Friday. He described the officers' use of physical violence, tear gas, and pepper spray as "power of the state, run amok."

Marbley also ordered the Columbus Police officers to be restrained from using other weapons and practices, such as flash-bang grenades, rubber bullets, and body slams against nonviolent protesters, according to The Hill report.

The judge sided with the 26 plaintiffs who protested last summer. He ruled that the Columbus Police Department had used force "indiscriminately" and without provocation during the widespread protests last May and June.

"We are pleased that the Court recognized the truth of the overwhelming testimony, shocking videos, and heart-wrenching pictures and issued an injunction which protects the people from the police," Sean Walton, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, was quoted in a Washington Post report.

The letter said that they need to change the culture of the Columbus Division of Police.

Interim Columbus Chief Thomas Quinlan was forced out of the department.

Mayor Andrew Ginther said that he had lost confidence in the chief's ability to make the needed changes, according to an Associated Press report.

Police also testified before Marbley, noting chaotic and threatening situations.

Officer Anthony Johnson said that people walked up to them with bottles, opened them, and threw unknown liquids on their faces.

READ MORE: DOJ to Probe Louisville Police After Breonna Taylor's Death

Police Practices Probe

In April, the Justice Department has opened a civil investigation into the policing practices of Minneapolis Police.

This was a day after a jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, according to a Voice of America News report.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the news.

Garland said that building trust between the community and law enforcement will take time and effort. He also added that they undertake this task with determination and urgency, knowing that change cannot wait.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said that the investigation is a welcome effort, adding that his department would cooperate fully.

The following week the Justice Department announced that it will start a civil probe on policing practices on Louisville, Kentucky police department.

This in light of the fatally shot Breonna Taylor in a "no-knock" raid.

Garland said that it will evaluate the police routinely using unreasonable force, according to a Reuters report.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also welcomed the department's investigation, saying that they have been building for this type of audit for months.

Louisville Police Department Chief Erika Shield said that they will be pushing for more resources, more training, as well as other tools aside from lethal force.

The civil probes into policing practices in Minneapolis and Louisville are separate from the department's civil rights investigation and into the killings of Floyd and Taylor.

The deaths of Floyd and Taylor triggered nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.

READ MORE: West Coast Cities Show Outrage on Breonna Taylor's Death Anniversary

WATCH: Five Columbus police officers remain under investigation from summer protests - from NBC 4 Columbus