Local News

The Associated Press PASCO — The leader of a Hispanic group in Pasco is asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate last week’s fatal police shooting of an orchard worker accused of throwing rocks at officers. Consejo Latino Chairman Felix Vargas says he supports law enforcement in general, but he believes there’s a conflict of interest in…

— From Times staff reporters Mike Carter and Steve Miletich: In a letter to Mayor Mike McGinn, the U.S. Justice Department is sharply criticizing the Seattle Police Department’s policy of offering blanket protection from criminal prosecution to officers who provide statements on their use of force. The practice “may result in the exclusion of important evidence…