LAPD Accuses Cop of Racial Profiling

For the first time in history, the department found one of its own officers guilty of the crime.
By Danielle Wright
Posted: 03/27/2012 11:53 AM EDT
Filed Under Los Angeles, justice, human rights, police, Los Angeles Police Department, racial profiling, National News

LAPD, Los Angeles, justice, human rights, police, racial profiling, injustice, civil rights, National News

For the first time ever, the Los Angeles Police Department has found one of its officers guilty of racial profiling.

According to a Los Angeles Police Department investigation, a white police officer targeted Latino drivers for traffic stops because of their race, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The LAPD investigation found 15-year police veteran and motorcycle officer Patrick Smith guilty of pulling over primarily Latino drivers based solely on their race. In addition, he misidentified the drivers as white in routine paperwork to conceal the fact he had a disproportionate number of stops involving Latino drivers.

Members of the command staff reportedly have recommended Smith be subject to a disciplinary hearing where the department will push for him to be fired.

In a statement released by the LAPD, police chief Charlie Beck said it was too early to comment on the specifics of the case.

“It is important that the public and our officers know how seriously we take Constitutional Policing. Any complaints of racial profiling or racially based policing are thoroughly and impartially investigated,” Beck said.

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