In 2009 Father James a Catholic Priest assigned to St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church started to investigate abuses and harassment committed against his Hispanic parishioners by police officers of the East Haven Police Department. To document the abuses Father James would videotape the actions of the East Haven Police Department. In retaliation the East Haven Police Department arrested Father James for disorderly conduct when Father James attempted to videotape the police caught engaging in harassment and other illegal conduct against his Hispanic residence. However, a courageous and honorable local prosecutor dropped all the charges against Father James. However, not deterred, according to the federal indictment, (“Co-Conspirator No. 1”), which is believed to be Police Chief Leonard Gallo, attempted to have Father James transferred and removed from St. Lima’s to another parish outside of East Haven by calling Father James supervisors, and complaining about his actions.
The courageous actions of Father James led to a federal 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 law suit against the East Haven Police Department by the Yale Law School’s Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic.
As the direct result of Father James and Yale Law School actions the matter got the attention of the FBI and the United States Department of Justice. As a result the Justice Department this week announced the indictments against police officers, Spaulding, Cari, Zullo and Miller.
Similar to standard operating procedures in most towns and cities in New Jersey, abuses committed against people by the police stems from the failure of police departments to investigate and remand errant police officers engaged in illegal conduct. Over and over again it has been shown and proven that police departments cannot police themselves, and that only through outside investigation, including civil review broads, will such flagrant abuses be decreased.
Law Office of Vincent J. Sanzone, Jr.
New Jersey and Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney
Elizabeth, N.J. 07207
Tel. No. (908) 354-7006
Dated: January 29, 2012
“If you want Peace Work for Justice.” Pope John Paul, I
Elizabeth Criminal Defense Attorney, Elizabeth NJ Criminal Attorney
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