Feds: Sheriff Joe Arpaio ‘Promoted A Culture Of Bias,’ Discriminated Against Latinos
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Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has ‘promoted a culture of bias’ against Latinos in his Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and communicated to officers that ‘biased policing would not only be tolerated, but encouraged,’ according to a just-released report by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
DOJ investigators found during a three year probe that there was reasonable cause to believe that Arpaio, who fancies himself America’s Toughest Sheriff, and the Maricopa County’s Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) have engaged ‘in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing’ and ‘engages in racial profiling of Latinos; unlawfully stops, detains, and arrests Latinos; and unlawfully retaliates against individuals who complain about or criticize MCSO’s policies or practices.’
Arpaio, who endorsed Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry late last month, was found to have helped create what one deputy called a ‘wall of distrust’ between MCSO deputies and Maricopa County’s Latino residents.
