Today, the
New York Times reports that a Justice Department investigation has accused the Puerto Rico Police Department of widespread civil rights violations, corruption and illegal conduct.
ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero responded to today's story:
The report confirms a breathtaking level of violence and corruption throughout the PRPD. With the facts laid bare, it is now the responsibility of the Puerto Rican government and the Justice Department to make sure the police abuse and brutality end as quickly as possible.
Calling the report "a blistering condemnation of the second-largest police force in the United States," the Times notes:
The Justice Department began the investigation in part due to complaints by the American Civil Liberties Union. In June, when President Obama visited the island, the A.C.L.U. sent him a letter contending that the police had “engaged in a level of brutality against U.S. citizens” with a degree of impunity that “would not be tolerated in the 50 states.”
The
Department of Justice issued a press release which included these highlights:
The Justice Department found reasonable cause to believe that a pattern and practice of unconstitutional conduct and/or violations of federal law occurred in several areas, including:
Use of excessive force;
Use of unreasonable force and other misconduct designed to suppress the exercise of protected First Amendment rights; and
Unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests.
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