Arizona Immigration Law Called Racist by Phoenix cop Paul Dobson, says it makes him ‘Like a Nazi’
By Sean Alfano at New York Daily News
One Phoenix police officer says enforcing Arizona’s new, anti-illegal immigration law will make him feel like a war criminal.
In a 3-minute video posted on Facebook, 20-year veteran Paul Dobson says the law, Senate Bill 1070, is “racist.”
“This law will make me feel like a Nazi out there,” Dobson says into the camera. The video is posted on the site of a non-profit group working to turn back the controversial law which takes effect July 29.
As a result, Dobson is being investigated for sharing his thoughts publicly without the permission of a supervisor and faces a written reprimand or a minor form of discipline, police told the Arizona Republic.
In the video, posted on Brave New Foundation‘s Facebook page in May, Dobson said he feared the law will force him to racially profile Latinos.
Referring to a key phrase contained in SB 1070 which allows law enforcement to question a person’s legal status if they have “reasonable suspicion” they are in the country illegally.
“I could stop that person and start interrogating them, even if I don’t have reasonable suspicion,” Dobson said.
The officer said he also worries the law will prevent illegal immigrants from reporting crimes for fear of ending up in jail themselves.
“It’s horrifying,” he said. “It violates our calling to serve and protect.”
In addition to investigating Dobson, Phoenix’s police union, which supports the new law, wants the city’s police chief, Jack Harris, investigated for his federal testimony in opposition to SB 1070.
Two months ago, police chiefs around the U.S. expressed their concerns over the law to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, saying the law will strain relationships between officers and citizens and drain resources trying to enforce the law.
There are seven lawsuits pending against Arizona over SB 1070, including one filed by the Department of Justice.
In June, Arizona began training its police officers on how to enforce the new law.
A video which officers are required to watch emphasizes that SB 1070 does not condone racial profiling.
According to its website, Brave New Foundation is a California-based organization devoted to promoting social justice issues.
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