BC-FL--Immigrant Beating,130

3 South Fla. police arrested in immigrant beatings

%reldate(2012-07-05T18:56:30

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By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ

AP Hispanic Affairs Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Three South Florida police officers have been arrested in connection with a series of immigrant beatings following a year-plus investigation.

Homestead Police Sgt. Jeffrey Rome is accused of beating two men outside a bar last year and spraying others with pepper spray. The incidents were captured on video.

Emergency dispatchers reported repeated calls complaining of police beatings and pepper spraying around the time of the incidents.

Rome was arrested July 2. His arraignment is Aug. 1. Two other officers are accused of covering up for Rome.

Rome’s attorney was out of town Thursday, and his office said he was unavailable for comment.

Police say Rome frequently worked outside the bar in the south Miami suburb of Homestead where the incidents occurred. The area is home to many immigrant farm workers.