Latino elected officials are reacting to allegations of civil rights abuse within the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. As KJZZ’s Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports, critics say the Justice Department’s announcement vindicates what they’ve said about the Sheriff’s office for years.

Latino elected officials held a press conference Thursday to discuss the Department of Justice report on the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. (Photo by Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez/KJZZ)

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NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Local politicians and community leaders praised the federal government for its findings that the Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies targeted Latinos. At a press conference in South Phoenix, more than a dozen state lawmakers, city councilmen, county supervisors and community activists said their complaints were finally heard. Maricopa County Supervisor – and longtime Arpaio critic -- Mary Rose Wilcox says the next step is for the sheriff to explain himself.

 MARY ROSE WILCOX: The report says you comply by January 4th give a written report document how you are going to comply we are going to monitor it. He’s not gonna do it. He’s gonna blow it! He cannot take saying that he’s wrong and that’s what he’s gonna have to admit.

NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Wilcox says the board of supervisors has been working through numerous civil rights lawsuits charges brought against Arpaio’s office. She says the DOJ announcement will likely prompt more people to file lawsuits.

Updated: 12/16/2011 1:53 p.m.