Commission Says East Haven P.D. Violated State Law

Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Commission says the East Haven Police Department violated state law by failing to provide records that could help a federal racial profiling investigation.  WNPR’s Diane Orson explains.

Apostle Immigrant Services and St. Rose of Lima Church requested the documents from the East Haven Police Department in 2009. They say the material sheds light on incidents described in their racial profiling complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice, including disciplinary records and information on the use of force by East Haven officers. 

Latinos in East Haven describe a pattern of intimidation, harassment and racial profiling by East Haven police. A U.S. Department of Justice investigation is underway. In its decision the FOIC requires the East Haven Police Department to search for the missing records and to turn them over immediately.

For WNPR, I’m Diane Orson.