Justice Department Finds Joe Arpaio's Office Discriminated Against Latinos
Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio got into even more hot water on Thursday: the U.S. Department of Justice issued the results of a three-year investigation finding that his office exhibited discriminatory policies toward Latinos and violated civil rights. As the Associated Press reports, it's the federal government's "harshest rebuke" of a guy that seen as synonymous with Arizona's harsh illegal immigration tactics. And the findings, parsed by multiple outlets, reportedly voices most of the familiar critiques of the Sheriff that his detractors have pointed out for years.
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"Based upon our extensive investigation, we find reasonable cause to believe that [the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office] engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing," the Department of Justice report reads. "Specifically, we find that MCSO, through the actions of its deputies, supervisory staff, and command staff, engages in racial profiling of Latinos; unlawfully stops, detains, and arrests Latinos".
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The AP also noted this statistic from the report: "Latinos are four to nine times more likely to be stopped in traffic stops in Maricopa County than non-Latinos and that the agency's immigration policies treat Latinos as if they are all in the country illegally." The Arizona Republic informs that Arpaio's office has until January 4th to come "to a voluntary court-enforceable agreement to stop the unconstitutional practices, or face a lawsuit under provisions of federal Civil Rights Act."
