SAN JOSE (KCBS) -- Charges in a $20 million lawsuit that alleges racial profiling on the part of San Jose police department do not reflect how its officers respond to complaints, Police Chief Rob Davis said Friday.
Davis refused to comment on the suit directly, but said arrests made outside downtown night clubs for public drunkenness were not racially motivated.
The problem, he told KCBS’s Matt Bigler is “too many people in a very, very small area who are intoxicated and there are just problems that you have. As the police department, you have to respond to those issues.”
Davis said the police department is recognized for its ability to work with diverse communities.
“The reality is San Jose PD is recognized around the country as being one of the most progressive, diverse police departments. It has a great working relationship with its community,” he said.
The suit was filed by three Latino men who say the police target people of color when they cite people for public intoxication. Their suit contends the enforcement strategy is part of a larger effort to discourage them from coming downtown.
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KCBS' Matt Bigler reports
