Lawsuit: Suffolk County Cops Targeted Latino Drivers For Traffic Stops, Robberies

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police officers systematically targeted Latinos for unfounded traffic stops, a new lawsuit alleges.

The federal class-action suit charges that at least 21 Latinos were stopped and some were robbed of money, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

"Suffolk County police officers, for at least a decade, have been conducting a regular pattern of crime, mostly robberies, against Latino victims," said attorney Foster Maer, who represents the plaintiffs.

Retired Sgt. Scott Greene was arrested last year after he was caught on camera by undercover officers taking money from a Latino driver.

When Greene was arrested, authorities portrayed him as acting alone, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.

"We're aware of a number of officers who were playing different roles in this criminal behavior," Maer said. "But the problem is that the Suffolk County police and the district attorney aren't looking into the involvement of the other officers, other than to take their word that they weren't involved."

The suit seeks unspecified damages.

The Suffolk County Police Department released a statement saying that efforts have been made in recent years to improve the agency's relatinoship with the Latino community, including minority recruitment, community outreach and cultural sensitivity training.

"While we do not comment on pending litigation, it is important to note Sgt. Greene's arrest was a result of an investigation conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office," the Police Department said. "We believe his actions to be violative of his oath of public office, the public trust and the law and are not representative of the members of the Suffolk County Police Department."