Dispatcher investigated for using racial slur over police radio no longer with department

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    ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Missouri (KMOV) — A St. Louis County dispatcher, who sources said is the brother-in-law of Chief Mary Barton, is no longer employed with the department after broadcasting a racial slur over the radio to dozens of on-duty police officers earlier in the month.

A St. Louis County Police spokesperson said the employee was working as a dispatcher when he said the N-word while dispatching a call on Jan. 9. He was immediately removed from the radio and relieved of his duties, police said. An investigation was then launched to examine the incident.

The individual was employed with the department from Jan. 20, 2004 until Jan. 19, 2021, according to St. Louis County police officials. It is unknown if the employee was terminated or quit.

“As I have said in past, discrimination, by word or deed, shall not be tolerated by any of us in the St. Louis County Police Department. We have, and will continue, to hold one another accountable,” St. Louis County Police Chief Mary Barton said.

A spokesperson for the department added:

“The use of such language has no place in our Department; therefore, it should not and will not be tolerated. Each member of our Department Family and every citizen we serve shall be treated with dignity and respect. The investigation will be thorough, impartial, and overseen by the Deputy Chief of Police.”

The department said that Barton recused herself from the investigation.

The St. Louis County Police Association told News 4 they were appalled by the incident.

“We are aware of the racist language that was broadcast over the police radio last evening. We are appalled. There is no place in modern society for these racist epithets. Chief Barton needs to take swift action and terminate the employee from the police department. We have a history of speaking out in these situations and will continue to do so.”

Echoing their response, the Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) said they are “disgusted with the racist comments made by one of their dispatchers.”

The ESOP released the following statement:

“ESOP has been made aware of yet another racist incident which occurred at St. Louis County Police Department. We are disgusted with the racist comments made by one of their dispatchers. Swift and immediate action is an appropriate step, however more is needed. There have been several racist incidents to occur and will continue to occur until leadership is willing to make a true change. As an organization, we have continuously asked Chief Barton and the Board of Police Commissioners to address the racism that thrives at St. Louis County. Our words have long been ignored and if the Teneo report wasn’t enough to move Chief Barton to action to address systemic racism, hopefully this serves as the evidence she needs to do something about it.”

William Dailey, attorney for ESOP, said the context is racism.

“That is one of the most evil, vile, dehumanizing words in the English language and to know that someone is on the dime and dollar of the taxpayers to utilize such language, it should outrage everyone,” Dailey said.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page released a statement saying, “I am appalled by the dispatcher’s language and the worldview it reflects. It merits unequivocally strong action.”

Page went on to say that the police board must ensure the right priorities are in place to bridge the racial divide within the department.

The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers also released a statement, saying:

“All eyes are starting to take notice of the racially-biased incidents taking place both within the St. Louis County Police Department and in St. Louis County communities of color. The response of agency administrators, command staff and supervisory personnel will define their leadership, or lack thereof. We are now watching.”

The St. Louis County Chapter of the NAACP also released a statement asking for the termination of the dispatcher:

“We are calling for the swift termination of the St. Louis County police dispatcher involved in hate speech activity while on duty. Administrative leave is not enough. We are tired of false promises of corrective action within the department. It’s time to do the right thing…

It has been brought to the attention of President Bowman (President of the St. Louis County NAACP) that this dispatcher, in addition to being a St. Louis County police department employee, is the brother – in – law of the department’s Chief, Mary Barton. Earlier in 2020, Chief Barton denied the existence of racism within the department, a statement that was later corrected, however, it is this tone and cognitive dissonance permeating throughout the department, that gives employees permission to use inappropriate language without fear of disciplinary action.”

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