Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association

National Asian Peace Officers’ Association

National Latino Peace Officers Association

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

Women in Federal Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report Wednesday that alleges egregious acts of racial profiling, discrimination, and attempts to cover up these actions on behalf of the East Haven Police Department (EHPD).  The report claims that these acts of misconduct and harmful practices have been going on since at least 2009.  

Federal officials in coordination with this investigation have arrested three EHPD officers and one sergeant.  Among the charges are conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights and obstruction, which are in violation of the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the anti-discrimination provisions of the Safe Streets Act of 1968.

“We are disheartened by these allegations of racial profiling,” said Edwin Maldonado, National President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) and spokesperson for the National Council of Law Enforcement Organizations (NCLEO).  “As fellow law enforcement officials, we understand the pressures of keeping our communities safe, but we must take every measure possible to ensure that the people we serve trust us and have confidence in our work.  Racial profiling has no place in effective policing.”

The report explains that among the many harmful tactics employed by the EHPD, officers intentionally targeted Latino residents in traffic stops, deliberately patrolled areas near Latino-owned businesses and, in some instances, would follow Latino drivers in anticipation of a traffic violation.  All of these practices were rarely used on non-Latino drivers.  Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Thomas Perez, characterized this situation saying, “At its core, this is an abuse of power case.”

“It is imperative that the EHPD cooperate fully with federal authorities to remedy these discriminatory practices and restore integrity and trust among all within the community,” said Jiles Ship, National President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and member of NCLEO.  “The actions on behalf of the EHPD further emphasize the need for the passage of the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA), a bill that is currently pending in the U.S. Congress.” 

ERPA would “prohibit any law enforcement agent or agency from engaging in racial profiling” and would provide “an individual injured by racial profiling the right to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief,” according to the Congressional Research Service summary.

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