ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An officer with the St. Petersburg Police Officer was fired Wednesday after he allegedly made a "racially insensitive" statement toward a fellow officer back in April, the department said in a news release.
Former officer Brent Clark reportedly made the racist remark while at the evidence processing station at SPPD Headquarters.
According to a report from the Command Review Board, Clark and another officer were talking when, according to the officer, Clark lowered his voice and asked if the firearms seized by the officer were from a "Black man's house," saying they smelled "like an old Black man's house."
The officer reportedly called the statement "offensive," "derogatory," "hurtful" and "disgusting." The officer shared what happened with other co-workers before a supervisor learned of it, leading to the Office of Professional Standards opening an investigation, according to police.
This week, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway reportedly hosted a review of the allegations against Clark.
The Command Review Board sustained the allegation of conduct as unbecoming of a police officer before Clark was officially fired on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The report noted that Clark didn't seem remorseful about his alleged statement and reportedly didn't admit the statement was of a biased and prejudicial nature.
He asserted there was nothing offensive about what he said. During the Command Review Board meeting, Clark reportedly gave more examples of his "olfactory sense," such as associating the smell of "curry" with a household of "Indian" heritage.
He did acknowledge his statement to the officer didn't have any investigative value.
“At the St. Petersburg Police Department, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace," Holloway said in a statement. "We do not tolerate racially insensitive comments or behaviors among our employees, as they do not reflect the values we stand for. Any violation of this commitment will be addressed promptly and appropriately.”
According to the agency, Clark had been with the agency since October 2011 and worked in the traffic division.
