PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona sheriff whose office has been accused of civil rights violations has conditionally agreed to take part in discussions with federal officials about ways to correct the alleged violations.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday that his office needs the U.S. Justice Department to provide facts to back up its allegations that his office racially profiles Latinos, bases immigration enforcement on racially charged citizen complaints and punishes Hispanic jail inmates for speaking Spanish.
The sheriff says he won't back down at the department's threat to sue him in a bid to force changes.
The Justice Department wants the sheriff's office to receive training in constitutional policing, collect data on traffic stops and immigration enforcement and other changes.
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