Ramsey gets tough on racist remarks
Friday, April 24th, 2009
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says he will not tolerate inappropriate conduct among police. He has dismissed five officers for alleged offenses, including some charged with making racial comments. Three officers were dismissed for using racial epithets.
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The allegations of racism in the Police Department may surprise some, but they're nothing new to Raymond Carnation. After 9 years on the force, Carnation was dismissed in 1999.
Carnation says the recent dismissals could be evidence the city is addressing the unacceptable language and behavior he witnessed on the force.
Carnation: If I am a police officer know that a sargeant or a lieutenant condones some types of racism of course there's a latency for me to maybe act that way to impress a supervisor for me to act that way to say eh I can call this guy the n word, or smack this dude around because my supervisor doesn't mind it anyway so I'll be okay.
Police are working to improve community relations.
Town Watch Director Anthony Murphy says the Police Commissioner is taking the necessary steps to ensure that good relationship.