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Reaction To Findings In East Haven Police Probe

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A lawyer representing the town of East Haven says findings in a federal racial profiling investigation must still be substantiated. He’s cautioning against a quick rush to judgment.

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights’ Division found that East Haven Police intentionally target Latinos for traffic stops, and use excessive force against those taken into custody.  

"Charges like these are easily made. They’re not so easily proven."

Hugh Keefe is a trial lawyer for the town of East Haven.

"If it's not true, it absolutely is slanderous. The accusations against the police department as a whole are very serious and the report, although its 23 pages in length, is very thin on specific allegations of incidents."

The report describes a deeply rooted pattern of discriminatory policing against Latinos and a systemic failure within the East Haven police department to stop the misconduct. 

Angel Fernandez is leader of the pastoral council at St. Rose of Lima church,  whose congregants were among those who spoke out about racial profiling.

"For us, it was very much a vindication of everything that we’ve alleged. To know that a group of mostly poor people could stand up for themselves and could say that they were being harassed and intimidated… We think that this is a great sign that the system is working for us."

In addition to the civil investigation, an ongoing criminal investigation is underway.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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