City officials in Cincinnati, Ohio, have suspended a police officer after he was overheard using a racial slur to refer to a black woman during an arrest.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday that Dennis Barnette, who is white, was suspended Wednesday after Police Chief Eliot Isaac informed the city manager about his officer’s use of the slur.
“This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated inside the department,” Isaac told City Manager Patrick Duhaney in an email, according to the Enquirer.
{mosads}Barnette’s use of the racial slur reportedly came following his arrest of a black woman at an area nightclub, during which the woman allegedly pushed the officer. Barnette’s comments were recorded by the body camera of a fellow officer, the paper reported.
“Subsequent to the incident, Officer Barnette is clearly heard on a nearby Officer’s Body Worn Camera using a racial slur,” Isaac’s report continued.
Duhaney agreed with Isaac’s assessment, according to an email obtained by the Enquirer, who notified other officials that Barnette would be placed on desk duty.
“I share Chief Isaac’s concerns regarding this matter,” Duhaney said. “It is unacceptable and not in line with the standard of conduct we expect from city employees.”
Barnette’s tenure with the Cincinnati police is unknown, but he previously received the department’s Award for Exemplary Conduct in February 2014, according to the Enquirer.