East Haven police department dubbed ‘profoundly broken,’ according to Dept. of Justice report
Four Connecticut cops were busted Tuesday morning by the FBI in a sweeping probe of civil rights violations involving the East Haven police.
The quartet of suspects were arrested shortly before sunrise on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice, authorities said.
Two were arrested at East Haven police headquarters while working the midnight shift, while the other two were taken into custody at their homes.
According to court papers, the four officers were responsible for unreasonable searches and seizures, used unreasonable force — and then hid their flagrant behavior.
Officers David Cari, Dennis Spaulding and Jason Zillo, along with Sgt. John Miller, were due in Federal Court in Bridgeport, Conn., later Tuesday.
The East Haven mayor was quick to defend the four men, and Miller’s attorney proclaimed his client’s innocence.
“John Miller is a hero in East Haven,” said lawyer Donald Cretella. “He’s decorated. He’s a wonderful family man. Hopefully, we’ll clear his name.”
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice released a 23-page report ripping the East Haven police as “profoundly broken” by a pattern of discrimination — particularly against Latinos.
But East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo said he backed the arrested officers.
The foursome “are innocent until proven guilty,” he told the Hartford Courant. “We stand behind our officers and the police department ... It’s a tough day for all in East Haven, especially at the police department.”
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