Enforcing Arizona's controversial new immigration law will make one Phoenix police officer "feel like a Nazi," he says in a three-minute video confessional on Facebook.
"This law will make me feel like a Nazi out there," Phoenix Police Officer Paul Dobson says of S.B. 1070, which takes effect July 29. "I have a great deal of contempt for it, I'm very emotional about it. This law is pure and simple a racist law."
Dobson's participation in the video, which was produced by California-based Brave New Foundation, has resulted in an investigation for sharing his thoughts publicly without the permission of a supervisor. He faces a written reprimand or a minor form of discipline, police told the Arizona Republic.
"I, um, of course don't represent the city of Phoenix in any way or the city of Phoenix Police Department," Dobson says on camera. "My opinions are my own."
The video was posted in May and can be seen on Brave New Foundation's online community, Cuentame, a nonprofit organization that says it is dedicated to promoting social justice issues. Viewers are encouraged to watch Dobson's video and then sign a pledge promising to boycott Arizona.
Dobson, a 20-year veteran, said he fears that enforcing the law will force him to racially profile Latinos. S.B. 1070 requires officers to ask a person's legal status when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is in the country illegally, .
"I could stop that person and start interrogating them, even if I don't have reasonable suspicion," Dobson said.
Dobson, who could not be reached for comment, says in the video that he's also worried that the law will dissuade illegal immigrants from reporting crimes.
"As a law enforcement officer, I am required to serve and protect," he said. "So, under S.B. 1070, I know that people will not call officers in a case of a real emergency. It's horrifying. It violates our calling to serve and protect."
Seven lawsuits are pending against the Arizona law, including one filed by the Department of Justice.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
