Latinos File Federal Racial Profiling Lawsuit Against East Haven Police

A group of Latinos is expected to file a federal, racial-profiling lawsuit today against the East Haven police department.  WNPR’s Diane Orson reports.

The complaint names the Town of East Haven, its police department and chief, and a number of officers. Plaintiffs describe a campaign of violence, harassment and intimidation against Latino residents and shopkeepers. There are details of race-based traffic stops, beatings, use of tasers, and raids on Latino businesses. New Haven attorney David Rosen represents the plaintiffs. He says his clients hope the suit leads to better functioning law-enforcement in the town:

"...That provides equal justice to all different segments of the East Haven community without regard to race, without regard to ethnicity."

A federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into racial profiling allegations is also underway. In its preliminary report, the investigators found that conduct policies for East Haven’s police department were outdated, and that officers lacked appropriate guidelines on the use of force. 

For WNPR, I’m Diane Orson.