White police officer who used the N-word during a confrontation with a group of black men is under investigation
- Montgomery County police are investigating after a video emerged of a white officer using the N-word during a confrontation with a group of four black men
- Bodycam footage captures the female officer defending her use of the offensive slur during an altercation outside a McDonald's in Silver Springs earlier this week
- When one of the men objects to her use of language, she is then heard adding: 'Uh nope that's a quote, those were your words'
- Her remarks have been condemned by a Montgomery County police spokesman as: 'Disturbing and contrary to our department's values'
Montgomery County police are investigating after a video emerged of a white officer using the N-word during a confrontation with a group of black men.
Bodycam footage captures the female officer defending her use of the offensive slur by suggesting she was quoting their words, before one of the group replies: 'I bet if she didn't have her [police] badge on she wouldn't call us no n******.'
Barry Tucker, who recorded the footage, said they had been waiting to be picked up for work outside of a McDonald's restaurant in Silver Spring when they were accused of trespassing.
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Bodycam footage captures the female officer defending her use of the offensive slur by suggesting she was quoting their words, before one of the group replies: 'I bet if she didn't have her [police] badge on she wouldn't call us no n******'
The group of men say they were waiting to be picked up by a friend for their landscaping job
The altercation has been condemned by a Montgomery County police spokesperson as: 'Disturbing and contrary to our department's values.'
Her remarks came after a gas station attendant dialed 911 suggesting there was a group loitering in the area. When the officer, who has not been identified, tries to move the men on, she can be heard saying: 'Y'all want to get out here fast, right?
'So you have more people y'all n******* been trying to do something.'
When one of the men objects to her use of language, she is then heard adding: 'Uh nope that's a quote, those were your words,' before adding: 'What I am doing is repeating your words.'
The group of men say they were waiting to be picked up by a friend for their landscaping job.
When one of the men objects to her use of language, she is then heard adding: 'Uh nope that's a quote, those were your words,' before adding: 'What I am doing is repeating your words'
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released a statement on the video. 'I watched a video of a Montgomery County police officer that circulated around social media earlier today.
'The officer's comments recorded on the video violate the standards which we expect our officers to uphold. There are no circumstances that justify what the officer said.
'Every time something like this happens it hurts the reputation of all officers; and it works against efforts to build trust in the community.
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'I spoke with Acting Police Chief Russell Hamill earlier, and he recognizes the seriousness of this; and the department has started an investigation into this incident.'
Police also released the following statement regarding the incident:
'The Montgomery County Department of Police takes all allegations of racial discrimination seriously. We are committed to serving all members of the community in a fair, impartial, and non-discriminatory manner at all times.
The group of four claim they were waiting to be collected for their landscaping job
'All allegations of misconduct surrounding inappropriate actions or language by our employees are investigated by our Internal Affairs Division, at times in concert with other governmental agencies within Montgomery County.
'The matter brought to our attention today is disturbing and contrary to our department's values and our overarching mission to fairly and impartially serve our community.
'The statements observed on the social media video clip are contrary to our extensive training curriculum that include implicit bias training and other training programs to ensure fair, unbiased, and non-discriminatory policing in our community.
Police were called after a gas station attendant said there was a group loitering nearby
'We sincerely regret the disturbing nature of this video. We understand the pain such language causes the entire community.
'Our commitment to having open and honest communication with the community and providing transparent police service persists.
'As part of our commitment to accountability and transparency, we are releasing both the social media video and the body worn camera footage of the involved officer for all to view.'
