The feds have turned their focus onto Suffolk County, investigating whether the police force discriminates against minorities.

Recent crimes against Latinos in the county, including the death of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero, have drawn national attention. The Department of Justice?s probe concentrates on the department?s handling of hate crimes against Latinos to determine whether there are any ?systematic violations? of the Constitution or federal law.

Latino activists accuse the police department of reclassifying bias crimes as other types of crimes or ignoring them all together. They filed an initial complaint against the department nine months ago.

Police Commissioner Richard Dormer, meanwhile, says he?s looking forward to clearing his department?s name and dispelling myths about the Suffolk P.D.