by Nick Beres
COOPERTOWN, Tenn. - There are calls for a TBI investigation and threats of civil rights lawsuits from those outraged over racial slurs made by Coopertown reserve police officers.
The remarks were captured by the dash cam in one of the officer's squad cars.
The two volunteer officers, Robert McCormick and Richard Bishop, are talking about Eddie Brown -- an African American motorist.
Brown had complained to the city about how McCormick had treated him during a stop. The audio catches the offers using profanity and ethnic slurs.
"That (expletive) (expletive) complained on me," said McCormick, who didn't like that the mayor spoke with Brown. "Well you know the mayor is a liberal (expletive). Here he's done made love to the damn (expletive) who lives in Springfield."
The two then discuss what McCormick should have done instead of letting Brown go without a ticket.
"You should have pistol whipped his ass. I know it. Given him a reason to complain. I know it. Black son of a (expletive)."
"It makes me feel that I don't want to go through that town again," said Eddie Brown.
Brown said he felt he was initially stopped by McCormick only because he was black. Now, he believes this audio confirms it.
Brown expressed concern about how the city mayor Sam Childs responded after hearing the the audio.
"They didn't realize they were being recorded and they were just being macho, especially officers like to be macho," said Childs defending the officers.
He ordered them to take sensitivity training, but they got to keep their badges and guns.
Brown said that sends the wrong message by keeping them on the force.
"They keep patting them on the back and letting them get away with it. You never know what they'll do to people who come through that little town," said Brown.
Walter Searcy with the NAACP said more needs to be done.
"Their police power should be removed. They should be suspended and an audit of the entire department should be done," Searcy said.
Searcy is calling on the TBI to investigate. Brown is considering a civil rights lawsuit.
Email: nberes@newschannel5.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/NC5NickBeres
Twitter: Twitter.com/NC5_NickBeres
