Latinos accuse Concord Police officer of profiling

The Concord police department is investigating accusations that one of its officers racially targeted and illegally detained dozens of Latino motorists in May and June. The incidents have inflamed community anger against police. On three separate days, the officer stopped motorists as they entered the parking lot of Mercado Del Valle on the 1600 block of Monument Boulevard and asked to see their driver's licenses, vehicle registrations and proof of insurance, according to Del Valle manager Alvaro Moya. Concord police would not identify the officer. Moya and a community leader who asked not to be named said they did not believe the officer had any cause for stopping the motorists. They said they believed the officer stopped the motorists solely because they were Latino. After launching an investigation into the matter, Ace said, he placed the officer on paid administrative leave. [more]