An Arizona judge has ordered the office of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to be looked after by an independent monitor and community advisory board after allegations of racial profiling, CBS News reported.
In May, U.S. District Judge Murray Snow found that Arpaio and the sheriff's office singled out Latino residents and allowed deputies to detain them for unreasonably long periods of time.
The court's decision came after a group of Latinos sued the office for violating their constitutional rights, saying they were detained specifically for their race.
Snow's ruling states that a monitor will now oversee the training of deputies and make sure the office is complying with constitutional requirements. Additionally, the judge created a community advisory board to help restore the public's confidence in law enforcement.
"In conducting its activities, MCSO shall ensure that members of the public receive equal protection of the law, without discriminating based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, and in a manner that promotes public confidence," the ruling said.
The group who filed the lawsuit was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who called the ruling a victory.
"Today's order is really going to put some sunlight into the corners of the MCSO that have been such a problem in terms of people's civil rights. It's a great day," said ACLU lawyer Cecillia Wang.
Arpaio clearly did not share the same sentiment, arguing a monitor would demean his authority.
"I have received a copy of the court order and I am in the process of discussing it with our attorneys," Arpaio said in a statement. "We are identifying areas that are ripe for appeal. To be clear, the appointed monitor will have no veto authority over my duties or operations. "
Tim Casey, the sheriff's lawyer, said he was "pleased with its very moderate sensible tone" so far, although he has not finished reading the ruling yet.
"The sheriff is still in exclusive charge of the MCSO," Casey said. "The monitor cannot tell us what to do or not to do. The court will make the ultimate decision on whether or not the MCSO is in compliance with its order, and we're very pleased with that."
