The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
January 25, 2012

Connecticut Police Officers Charged With Targeting, Assaulting Hispanics 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------



The FBI has arrested four police officers in East Haven, Connecticut, on
allegations of assaulting Hispanics and then covering up their actions.
The officers are accused of deliberately targeting Hispanics and
subjecting them to abuses including beatings while handcuffed and
unlawful searches. The officers also allegedly harassed and intimidated
witnesses and fellow officers to avoid getting caught. The indictment
also lists an unnamed co-conspirator believed to be the town's police
chief, Leonard Gallo. The charges follow a recent Justice Department
probe that found East Haven police engaged in "biased policing,
unconstitutional searches and seizures, and the use of excessive force."



.