Wichita NAACP calls for the termination of officers overheard making racist remarks

- As recently reported, the Wichita Police department has suspended three officers for making a series of Racist and Reprehensible comments which were overheard and reported by a neighbor. These types of comments undermine the public trust and are indicative of an underlying hostility towards one of the very communities the Officers are sworn to serve and protect. Expressions of Hatred and Bigotry should not be tolerated within the ranks of our Public Safety officials.

We understand and appreciate that Professional Standards is now conducting an investigation into the matter; which we will closely monitor. However, we wish to go on record stating that if the Wichita Police Department and Chief Norman Williams attempt to ’sweep this under the rug’ by quietly returning the officers to duty, it would send a strong signal that such behavior is condoned by the leadership of WPD.

The Wichita Police Department should have a zero tolerance policy for racism and misogyny and it is our hope that the leadership in the Police Department will resolve this matter accordingly. We are therefore calling upon the Wichita Police Department and Chief Norman Williams to act in the Public’s interest by terminating the officers upon the conclusion of the investigation.