Highway patrol officials resign in wake of racial incidents among troopersBy Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Originally published 02:57 p.m., February 29, 2008
Updated 03:11 p.m., February 29, 2008 
James Schweitzer 
Col. Russell Roark Under pressure from Gov. Mark Sanford, the director and deputy director of the state Department of Public Safety resigned Friday. Public Safety Director James K. Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark resigned after tapes surfaced showing officers using racial slurs against black motorists. The Legislative Black Caucus complained to the governor on Thursday after learning that the troopers involved in three incidents captured on video were punished with only 12-hour suspensions. The governor suggested that Schweitzer and Roark would have been fired if they had not resigned. "This racial epithet is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances -- period," Sanford said Friday afternoon. "I want to be absolutely clear that this in no way reflects on the utmost respect we have for the dedication and professionalism of the hundreds of men and women in uniform at the Patrol. When someone disregards that standard - or worse yet, exhibits behavior that is absolutely intolerable no matter the situation - we expect the leaders we've appointed to take swift and meaningful steps to correct it. When that doesn't happen, the buck ultimately stops with me to make sure that going forward, we are sending a clear and unequivocal signal that unacceptable behavior won't be tolerated." The Legislative Black Caucus praised Sanford for his quick action and said they are hopeful his picks to replace the men will signal a change in the ranks of Public Safety. Caucus members said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell and Sen. Robert Ford were instrumental in forcing action on the issue. "This sends a message to the rest of the country that South Carolina isn't going to tolerate this kind of behavior," said state Rep. Leon Howard, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. Read the full story in Saturday's Post and Courier. |
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Comments
This article has 12 comment(s)
Posted by blah_blah_blah on February 29, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't do anything wrong and you shouldn't be scared, right? Why do you keep saying stuff is on CNN, like this article, and the 2 mothers that are being evicted? I don't get it.
Posted by realintheus on February 29, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was wondering when these bigots would get caught. Let's see how many more follow.
Posted by ChrisPia on February 29, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by blah_blah_blah on February 29, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After last week's confession of racial remarks to the muslims stopped in Goose Creek, and now this? We might need to start screening for these public positions.
Posted by chucktonian on February 29, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we are going to reach a point where using a racial slur will be worse than murder. use the N word? off to the electric chair!
Posted by urvoucher on February 29, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its a real shame for our state.
Posted by RTC on February 29, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I in no way condone the use of racial slurs of any kind.
I just want to know what would have happened had this been a reverse situation?
Posted by proud2bme on February 29, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When you have to deal with thugs of all kinds daily, the way our police officers do, then you can criticize how they do their work. There will always be a few bad apples in a bunch, so to label the entire department is ridiculous!
I'm sure if/when you need them, it's a different story.
Posted by foxforce5 on February 29, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RTC,
If the situation was reversed, the trooper would not have used racial slurs in the first place and we wouldn't be reading this in the P&C. Ususally, the officers protecting and serving are professional. Now, the bad apples can no longer hide behind their badge. Interesting how audio and video keeps folks accountable these days.
Posted by RTC on February 29, 2008 at 8:59 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by RTC on February 29, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it when you post a true comment it gets removed. This was an actual incident that happened and not a fictional scenario.
Was it the use of the term "bitch"?
That is not a filthy word according to Webster's.
Posted by burton on February 29, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Gov Sanford for setting the example bacause it was obvious that the Public Safety Director and the Col condoned the action of their troopers with that light punishment. Good riddance! Now, are the troopers going to be fired too?