Apr 24, 2007 11:06 am US/Central
NYPD Sergeant Investigated For Imus-Like Slur
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Three female minority police officers claim they were insulted with the same language radio host Don Imus used. But they said the abuse came from fellow officers.
The three officers said they were denigrated and insulted by two other officers in their stationhouse.
"We felt violated, hurt, humiliated," officer Tronette Jackson said.
The officers' attorney, Bonita Zelman, had a much more colorful characterization.
"The Imus virus has spread to the New York City Police Department," Zelman said.
The three women said the incident happened where Abner Louima was assaulted a number of years ago, the 70th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn. It was April 15, a few days after Imus was fired by MSNBC and CBS Radio for referring to the members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy headed hos" on his nationally syndicated radio show.
"Sgt. Mateo addressed roll by stating, 'stand up hos,'" Zelman said. "My clients refused to stand. At that time, Officer Montenez stated, 'Sarge, they are not just hos, but nappy-headed hos.'"
Said police officer Karen Nelson: "I was stunned and humiliated almost to the point of disbelief. It was an experience I will never forget."
Added officer Maria Gomez: "We just couldn't believe we cold hear that at a place we work by own supervisor."
The sergeant has already been transferred and stripped of his supervisory duties.
And this isn't the only alleged case. Another officer said it happened to her in Queens three days earlier.
Detective Aretha Williams, working Queens Narcotics, said a white sergeant made a similar remark to her.
Williams said the supervisor -- now on leave -- told her not to give him "lip," or he'd call her "a nappy-headed ho."
"If it did happen, it's totally unacceptable," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "It's reprehensible. We simply will not tolerate it."
Kelly said investigations are underway in both incidents that could result in further disciplinary action.
All four women have filed complaints with the NYPD's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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