Another racist has been allowed to resign instead of being fired.
Former Ohio Police Chief Anthony Campo retired after leaving a “Ku Klux Klan” sign on a Black officer’s desk, Cleveland.com reported.
On Friday, a surveillance camera caught the former Sheffield Lake chief walking into a room near the booking area with a piece of paper in his hand that read, “Ku Klux Klan.” He placed the piece of paper on a yellow jacket laid out to resemble the KKK hooded robe.
Campo then waited for the officer to come into the room and notice the jacket and note.
On camera, the officer and Campo exchanged words until others entered and began to speak with Campo as well. The video has no audio, so it is unknown what words were exchanged between the two men.
Sheffield Lake Mayor Dennis Bring spoke with Campo upon learning about the incident, and the former chief brushed it off as a “prank” and implied no racist intent.
“He thought this was just a joke,” Bring said. “This is the most egregious and offensive thing you could possibly do. And it’s embarrassing and disgusting.”
Campo’s reaction to the situation is possibly the most offensive part of the incident, as he smiled and said, “So, am I fired?” when Bring approached him about his actions.
Mayor Bring initially planned to place Campo on administrative leave, but Campo immediately typed and submitted a letter with his intent to resign.
Anthony Campo was employed by the force for over 30 years and had served as chief for eight. He spoke to WKYC by phone and said that he had not been fired but chose to retire. He also said that he had respect for the officer he targeted and that the incident was “overblown.”
Mayor Bring later had a meeting with the officer and all of the employees at city hall to reiterate that racism in Sheffield Lake will not be tolerated.
