Ch 4: "Pattern or Practice" investigations

East Haven Police Department - Closed

EHPD Engages in a Pattern or Practice of Conduct that Violates the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution

CLAIMS FOR RELIEF

EHPD Unlawfully Discriminates Against Latinos in Violation of their Constitutional Rights.

EHPD engages in a pattern or practice of systematically discriminating against Latinos

A statistical analysis demonstrating that Latino drivers are disproportionally targeted for traffic stops

Serious incidents of abuse of authority and retaliation against individuals who criticize or complain ofEHPD's discriminatory treatment ofLatinos

Analysis of traffic stops showing that officers use non-standard and, in some cases, unacceptable, justifications for stops that are not employed against non-Latino drivers.

Post-stop treatment that shows EHPD treating Latino drivers more punitively than non-Latino drive

Failure to remedy a history of discrimination and a deliberate indifference to the rights ofminorities, including EHPD's failure to guide, train, supervise, and discipline officers engaged in unlawful discrimination

Significant deviations from standard police practices that result in covering up or exacerbating the disparate treatment of Latino drivers

a failure to collect and report traffic stop data in accordance with state racial profiling laws;

a failure to implement policies prohibiting discrimination;

a failure to hold officers accountable through internal investigations;

serious deficiencies in EHPD's management and accountability systems

1. EHPD Engages in Discriminatory Enforcement of the Traffic Laws

2. EHPD Targets Latinos for Immigration Enforcement in a Discriminatory and Otherwise Unconstitutional Mannerts

3. EHPD has Significantly Departed from Standard Law Enforcement Practices that Protect Against Biased Policing

4. EHPD Demonstrates Bias against Latinos through Anti-Latino Statement

Excessive force against individuals who have already been taken into custody, handcuffed, or otherwise restrained

EHPD officers conduct unreasonable searches and seizures.

The pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Fourth Amendment results directly from EHPD’s inadequate policies, procedures, training, and oversight.

First claim for relief: pattern or practice of discriminatory conduct that violates the fourteenth amendment and section 14141

Second claim for relief: pattern or practice of use of excessive force that violates the fourth amendment and section 14141

Third claim for relief: pattern or practice of unreasonable searches, arrests, and detentions that violates the fourth amendment and section 14141