Hub cop suspended six months without pay for racist video
Evans: Film ‘clearly insensitive’
A Boston police patrolman behind a racist video has been suspended for six months without pay, with another six months probation, and will undergo “significant” unconscious bias retraining, BPD officials said.
Officer Joseph DeAngelo Jr., a patrolman for 4 1⁄ 2 years, is being punished after he created and disseminated among friends a video meant as a spoof on Officer Dennis Leahy that contained racist remarks and text at the end that read “This summer, black people have met their match.” After an internal investigation — and being put on paid administrative leave — Leahy, who was unaware of the video, was cleared, officials said.
DeAngelo admitted to making the video without Leahy’s consent and was placed on paid administrative leave on June 15, BPD said.
Police Commissioner William B. Evans called DeAngelo’s actions “clearly insensitive and immature behavior” that called for a one-year suspension — with six months to serve without pay, the remainder on probation — as well as “significant sensitivity and unconscious bias” retraining and community service. He will not be allowed to work overtime details during his suspension.
“It was clear from Officer DeAngelo’s interview that he feels significant remorse for his actions and now realizes the impact this video has had on our community,” Evans said. “Officer DeAngelo readily admitted to the conduct and has fully taken responsibility for his actions.”
In an open letter to the community, the Roxbury-based patrolman asked for forgiveness.
“To my family, my friends, my police department coworkers who I have embarrassed, and the people of the City of Boston, I offer a deep and sincere apology for the thoughtless, childish, insensitive, and offensive racial references contained in a video I made attempting to poke fun at a longtime friend and coworker,” DeAngelo wrote. “I was taught by my parents at a young age to respect people of all races, colors, and religions and was taught that all people, no matter what they look like or where they come from, should be treated the same...We all make mistakes in life, and some are bigger than others. I made a big one and ask for your forgiveness.”
Chief William Gross said the move should be a “teachable moment” for the department.
“We fully expect our officers should be sensitive to the needs and history of every citizen in Boston that we serve,” said Gross. “This is a teachable moment. We still have work to do to address unconscious and implicit bias. We’re willing to do that with the public.”