EAST HAVEN, CT (WFSB/AP) -
A U.S. Justice Department investigation into the East Haven Police Department has found a pattern of discrimination against Latino residents in violation of their constitutional rights and federal law.
The results of the investigation, which was launched in September 2009, were released Monday. It was prompted by allegations of biased policing, unconstitutional searches and seizures and use of excessive force by police.
The Justice Department's civil rights division alleges that the police department intentionally targets Latinos for traffic enforcement and treats Latino drivers more harshly after stops.
A priest in the Latino community tried documenting the harassment by video recording it but he was arrested.
Former Mayor April Capone put Police Chief Leonard Gallo on paid leave more than a year ago after the investigation was launched. The Director of Town Affairs, under Capone, said they tried to change what was happening at the police department.
Newly elected mayor Joe Maturo said the report is too abstract to make any substantial changes.
"All there are are some numbers. There's no reference to any officers, no references to complainants. All there are are innuendos stating things could have been wrong," he said.
A separate criminal investigation by the FBI that could lead to indictments of individual officers is also under way.
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