SFGate

A St. Louis County police lieutenant is being investigated over concerns that he ordered officers to target and arrest blacks in a predominantly white area of the county.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/11s10jW ) reports that the lieutenant is on paid leave pending outcome of the internal investigation. His name has not been released.

"I have 20 years of positive experience without a blemish, and now I have one allegation against me," the lieutenant told the newspaper. "I have done nothing that they say I have done."

Police Chief Tim Fitch says the investigation began with an anonymous letter from a county officer dated Dec. 24. It alleged that the lieutenant ordered officers under his command to focus on arresting black people in the area of South County Center and a Wal-Mart store in south St. Louis County.

Fitch hopes to complete the inquiry by the Feb. 20 police board meeting. He was not aware of any previous internal affairs complaints or race-related allegations against the lieutenant.

Police sources told the newspaper that the lieutenant told about 20 officers to check license plates of black drivers and arrest those with outstanding warrants.

"I will be open-minded about this until I see all the facts, but I'm not so naive as to think that it didn't happen," Fitch said.

Michael Love, a black 27-year-old St. Louis resident shopping Wednesday at South County Center, said targeting would not surprise him. He said anyone who believes in racial targeting "should not be in any position of power."