East Haven, feds make deal over profiling, abuse charges

(WTNH) -- A proposed agreement has been reached between the town of East Haven and the U.S. Justice Department.

The settlement agreement is in response to a civil investigation into the East Haven Police Department alleging it engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination against Latinos and police misconduct.

• Read the letter of intent (.pdf)

"Yesterday I signed a letter of intent with the Department of Justice, agreeing to submit the settlement agreement for approval," Mayor Joseph Maturo said.

Mayor Maturo announced the town of East Haven has agreed to sweeping changes within the police department, including having a so-called Compliant Expert, an independent person who will oversee the reforms and report back if they're not adhered to.

• Read the Settlement agreement (.pdf)

All this follows a two-year investigation by the Department of Justice, over allegations that police officers were targeting Latinos. Four officers have been arrested and charged and the former chief stepped down.

And it was apparent today, everyone in town hall is eager to move forward.

This agreement will mean money and a lot of it, in order to implement all the changes. But the mayor says, better that, then to spend it on litigation.

What the town is not doing with this, is admitting to any wrong-doing. None whatsoever. When asked why that is, the town attorney stepped in.

"Well, any statement like that, the town still has a significant amount of litigation sitting out there, it would be unfair to put the town in a position to answer any question like that at this point," Joe Zullo, the Town Attorney, said.

Father James Manship has been an outspoken opponent of the police department. He was in fact, arrested trying to help document the abuse against Latinos and the outcry over that, helped launched the investigation.

Today he tells News 8, it would be nice to hear the town, if not apologize, then at least acknowledge the harassment. Despite that, he says, this is a good day for East Haven, a step in the right direction.

"I don't think it really matters what town officials say right now, I think, the wheels for change and reform are set into motion," Father Manship, of St. Rosa de Lima, said.

In a statement the Justice Department said "The proposed agreement also resolves allegations that EHPD engaged in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force, unconstitutional searches and seizures and retaliation against persons who witnessed police misconduct or criticized EHPD's practices."

• Read Mayor Maturo's news release. (.doc) t.

In a related development, one of the accused East Haven police officers, Jason Zullo, is scheduled to change of plea hearing in Hartford. Zullo had pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the civil rights probe. He will be in court at 3:00 p.m. 

Last month, another former East Haven officer, Sgt. Sgt.John Miller, pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities in their investigation.