By Suzie Ziegler
SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio — A police officer spoke out publicly for the first time months after video surfaced of a racist incident involving his police chief.
In late June, security video showed then-Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo placing a note on on a Black officer’s desk. The note read “Ku Klux Klan.”
Officer Keith Pool, 57, is now filing a discrimination charge against Campo, reported the Associated Press. Pool spoke publicly about the incident for the first time on Thursday during a live news conference with his attorneys.
“My exact words were, ‘Are you serious?’” said Pool, when asked how he responded to the note. “What else can you say to the chief of police?”
The full security video can be seen below. There is no audio.
Campo, who claimed it was just “a joke,” resigned soon after the video was released, reported Cleveland.com.
Pool said that Campo has not apologized nor reached out since the incident. Pool is still with the department and says he has no plans to leave.
“Since the removal of Chief Campo, it’s been more upbeat,” said Pool. “There’s no animosity.”
Pool also said that he is the department’s first Black officer, and that his own great uncle was killed by the Ku Klux Klan.
Pool’s attorney, Ashlie Sletvold, described an existing culture of harassment by Campo, including an allegation of religious harassment involving a different officer. Sletvold also said she plans to release a second security video that shows Campo making a KKK hood out of paper and wearing it around the department.
Pool says he wants to help others by speaking out.
“This cannot continue in the workforce,” said Pool. “All I want to do is help people.”
Watch the full press conference with Pool below.