After a federal investigation into the East Haven police department, the mayor has formed a new advisory committee to analyze the police department and put into action suggestions the Department of Justice made after the probe.
The federal investigation began in September 2009 after allegations of biased policing, unconstitutional searches and seizures and use of excessive force by police.
After investigating, the Justice Department's civil rights division said the police department intentionally targets Latinos for traffic enforcement and treats Latino drivers more harshly after stops.
The purpose of "LEARN" -- Law Enforcement Advisory Resource Network – “is to serve as network that our Police Department and Police Commission can rely on for suggestions and advice regarding the important policy issues that our Department and Town are currently working on," Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. said. "The goal is to bring all of those resources before one committee to help determine how we can help our Police Department address the current areas of concern."
The committee members will include the mayor; the chief of police; the deputy chief of police; Sgt. John Lennon; seasoned law enforcement advisers; and others.
Past Town Attorney Lawrence Sgrignari will provide basic legal advice to the committee at its meetings on a pro-bono basis.
"This Committee is a critical first step toward rebuilding and modernizing our Police Department to meet the challenges of a changing world," Maturo said.
