DOJ Targets Sheriff Arpaio

(Phoenix, Arizona)

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday morning accused the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office of racial profiling in traffic stops and immigration operations and discriminating against Spanish speakers in the county jails.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said at a packed news conference that the findings were not based on isolated incidents and not gleaned solely from statistics but about real people caught up in the sheriff’s web of unconstitutional activity.

The problem, Perez said, is rooted in a culture in the Sheriff’s Office that breeds a culture of disregard for the constitution.

“MCSO is broken in a number of critical respects,” Perez said.

The Justice Department issued an ultimatum: Come to a voluntary court-enforceable agreement to stop the unconstitutional practices, or face a lawsuit under provisions of federal Civil Rights Act.

Sheriff Arpaoi has until January 4 to decide whether he is going to cooperate. If he fails to cooperate, the DOJ promises to force him.

“These findings are not meant to impugne your character,” Perez said, in remarks directed at Sheriff’s employees.

“Our goal is to make your job easier and more rewarding and we want to hear your views about how to do just that.”

They just want to help.