'N*****s gotta learn how to read': White police chief sparks outrage after using racist slur in a book-drive fundraiser email
A newly hired Pennsylvania police chief has sparked an uproar and was forced to issue a public apology for using a racial slur in a fundraising email.
Farrell Police Chief Thomas Burke, who is white, said he is 'truly sorry' for using the N-word to describe a neighboring town's black residents earlier this year.
Burke's apology Monday came a week after he was sworn in as the city's police chief. He is to start the job in January.
The email was sent in April to about 20 people, most of them Burke's friends and colleagues.
Burke, who was serving as director of safety and security at a local steel mill at the time, was trying to raise money for a book drive when he wrote: 'Good morning. Please click and review. Even a $1.00 will be greatly appreciated. Them Sharon n*****s gotta learn how to read.'
Sharon and Farrell are neighboring cities.
Farrell is located about 70 miles from Pittsburgh, with a population of just over 6,000 people.
According to the 2000 US Census, the racial makeup of the city is just over 50 per cent white and close to 47 per cent black.
Burke had served as chief of police in the City of Sharon until his retirement in 2007, but continued to work as a part-time detective for the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department, according to Erie News Now.
On Monday afternoon, Chief Burke appeared in the rotunda of Farrell’s municipal building and issued an apology.
‘To everybody here, to everybody out there, my deepest... I cannot tell you, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. I apologize deeply,’ he said, according to reporting by WKBN.
Farrell Mayor Olive McKeithan, who is black, said Burke has admitted to her that he sent the offensive email, and she continues to stand by him as police chief.
'Until you get to know a man’s character, you can’t judge him by one off-the-cuff remark, or else we would have to judge all white people as equally guilty,' McKeithan told the news station. 'I have spoken with Mr. Burke and consider the matter as closed.'
Some members of the community were skeptical about Burke's ability to carry out his duties as chief of police in light of the scandal.
Farrell Councilwoman Stephanie Sheffield, who is black, told Erie News Now she was hurt and upset when she learned of the offensive email.
She said Burke showed up on her doorstep Monday carrying a letter of apology and told her he is very familiar with the African-American community in the area.
‘[Burke said] he does use the N-word very often because that's the way it is in our area,’ Sheffiled told the station. ‘[I don't think] he should stand in that position if he's going to use the N-word.’
Farrell city leaders are planning to host a forum next week for the community to voice concerns and ask questions about the controversy surrounding the new police chief.
- Thomas Burke, the newly hired chief of police in Farrell, Pennsylvania, apologized on Monday for using the slur in an email sent in April
- Burke used the N-word to describe a neighboring town's black residents
- The email came to light a week after Burke was sworn in as Farrell's top cop
- Mayor of Farrell, who is black, said she stands by Burke
A newly hired Pennsylvania police chief has sparked an uproar and was forced to issue a public apology for using a racial slur in a fundraising email.
Farrell Police Chief Thomas Burke, who is white, said he is 'truly sorry' for using the N-word to describe a neighboring town's black residents earlier this year.
Burke's apology Monday came a week after he was sworn in as the city's police chief. He is to start the job in January.
The email was sent in April to about 20 people, most of them Burke's friends and colleagues.
Burke, who was serving as director of safety and security at a local steel mill at the time, was trying to raise money for a book drive when he wrote: 'Good morning. Please click and review. Even a $1.00 will be greatly appreciated. Them Sharon n*****s gotta learn how to read.'
Sharon and Farrell are neighboring cities.
Farrell is located about 70 miles from Pittsburgh, with a population of just over 6,000 people.
According to the 2000 US Census, the racial makeup of the city is just over 50 per cent white and close to 47 per cent black.
Burke had served as chief of police in the City of Sharon until his retirement in 2007, but continued to work as a part-time detective for the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department, according to Erie News Now.
On Monday afternoon, Chief Burke appeared in the rotunda of Farrell’s municipal building and issued an apology.
‘To everybody here, to everybody out there, my deepest... I cannot tell you, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. I apologize deeply,’ he said, according to reporting by WKBN.
Farrell Mayor Olive McKeithan, who is black, said Burke has admitted to her that he sent the offensive email, and she continues to stand by him as police chief.
'Until you get to know a man’s character, you can’t judge him by one off-the-cuff remark, or else we would have to judge all white people as equally guilty,' McKeithan told the news station. 'I have spoken with Mr. Burke and consider the matter as closed.'
Some members of the community were skeptical about Burke's ability to carry out his duties as chief of police in light of the scandal.
Farrell Councilwoman Stephanie Sheffield, who is black, told Erie News Now she was hurt and upset when she learned of the offensive email.
She said Burke showed up on her doorstep Monday carrying a letter of apology and told her he is very familiar with the African-American community in the area.
‘[Burke said] he does use the N-word very often because that's the way it is in our area,’ Sheffiled told the station. ‘[I don't think] he should stand in that position if he's going to use the N-word.’
Farrell city leaders are planning to host a forum next week for the community to voice concerns and ask questions about the controversy surrounding the new police chief.
