Government & Politics

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- With overwhelming pressure from the Latino community and national civil rights organizations, East Haven Police Chief, Len Gallo, announced his resignation during a Monday morning news conference after a federal investigation led to the arrest of four police officers involved in harassing Latino residents. Last week's indictment refers to Chief Len Gallo as an unnamed co-conspirator of racial profiling in the community; however, we urge that the spotlight should also be on Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. for his potential involvement and for creating an atmosphere that led to these violations of law against law-abiding Latino families.

"Removing one piece of the puzzle is not enough. Chief Len Gallo's resignation only detracts attention from Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.'s potential involvement in allowing police harassment of the Latino community to take place. Moreover, allowing the Mayor and his administration to name members of the search committee to find a replacement Chief of Police further deepens the existing corruption," said Representative Minnie Gonzalez (CT), NHCSL President. "I strongly urge federal investigators to take a deeper look into the Mayor and his administration as the East Haven community still demands answers."

The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 340 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit http://www.nhcsl.org.

SOURCE NHCSL-National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators