ACLU alleges racial profiling by Saginaw police

SAGINAW, Sept. 19, 2013 (AP): A civil liberties group has asked federal officials to expand an investigation of the Saginaw Police Department launched after the fatal shooting of a homeless man.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said Thursday that the department's ``practices appear to illustrate a pattern of racial profiling.''

The U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is currently investigating the July 2012 death of Milton Hall, who was shot 11 times after refusing to drop a knife.

City of Saginaw spokeswoman Debbie Buck declined comment.

The ACLU has asked the Justice Department to look into allegations that Saginaw police have used minor infractions as a pretext for searching individuals or their cars and asking for identification or about other crimes.

The group says the cases appear to involve black and Latino residents.

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Revised: 09/24/13 19:36:32 -0700.