A former Ohio police chief is accused of making racist references to a Black officer — and it was caught on video. The officer has filed a discrimination charge, which is the first step toward a lawsuit.In July, a video went viral of former Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo placing a paper with "Ku Klux Klan" written on it on officer Keith Pool's jacket.Then another video shows Campo putting on a makeshift KKK hat.At the time, the mayor told local media that the incident was horrible, shocking and unacceptable.The same day Campo was put on administrative leave, he resigned from the department.Now, the officer targeted by the racist actions is speaking out, remembering that the chief also called over other officers to see what he did."Even when I, we watched it now, I am in disbelief that this has happened," Pool said. "My, my exact words were, 'Are you serious?' And, I just looked at him, and like what else can you say to the chief of police who done something so heinous and so awful.Officer Pool is now filing a discrimination charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and a petition with the Ohio Supreme Court."And, this was not the Chief's first time doing something racist and offensive to me or other employees," Pool said. "It was just the first time he got caught on video."The petition asks for Campo's record of racial harassment complaints, alleging the chief repeatedly engaged in racial misconduct."Our investigation has revealed that Chief Campo referred to Officer Pool as the N-word and said he did not want an N-word working in his department," Ashlie Case Sletvold, Pool's attorney, said.Officer Pool requested those documents himself, but the city did not provide Campo's misconduct record. "The city's failure to turn over the public records documenting his misconduct makes me feel like they want to protect the ex-chief Campo," Pool said.Officer Pool does still work for the department under new Chief Andrew Kory, calling it a healthier environment."Working there since the incident and the removal of Chief Campo has been more upbeat," Pool said.The law firm representing Pool plans to file with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in order to get the right to sue.The petition it sent to the state supreme court effectively asks the justices to get involved with the case.
A former Ohio police chief is accused of making racist references to a Black officer — and it was caught on video. The officer has filed a discrimination charge, which is the first step toward a lawsuit.
In July, a video went viral of former Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo placing a paper with "Ku Klux Klan" written on it on officer Keith Pool's jacket.
Then another video shows Campo putting on a makeshift KKK hat.
At the time, the mayor told local media that the incident was horrible, shocking and unacceptable.
The same day Campo was put on administrative leave, he resigned from the department.
Now, the officer targeted by the racist actions is speaking out, remembering that the chief also called over other officers to see what he did.
"Even when I, we watched it now, I am in disbelief that this has happened," Pool said. "My, my exact words were, 'Are you serious?' And, I just looked at him, and like what else can you say to the chief of police who done something so heinous and so awful.
Officer Pool is now filing a discrimination charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and a petition with the Ohio Supreme Court.
"And, this was not the Chief's first time doing something racist and offensive to me or other employees," Pool said. "It was just the first time he got caught on video."
The petition asks for Campo's record of racial harassment complaints, alleging the chief repeatedly engaged in racial misconduct.
"Our investigation has revealed that Chief Campo referred to Officer Pool as the N-word and said he did not want an N-word working in his department," Ashlie Case Sletvold, Pool's attorney, said.
Officer Pool requested those documents himself, but the city did not provide Campo's misconduct record.
"The city's failure to turn over the public records documenting his misconduct makes me feel like they want to protect the ex-chief Campo," Pool said.
Officer Pool does still work for the department under new Chief Andrew Kory, calling it a healthier environment.
"Working there since the incident and the removal of Chief Campo has been more upbeat," Pool said.
The law firm representing Pool plans to file with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in order to get the right to sue.
The petition it sent to the state supreme court effectively asks the justices to get involved with the case.
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