By Konstantine Fekos
The Herald
FARRELL, Pa. – Newly sworn Farrell police Chief Tom Burke issued a public apology Monday for using the N-word in a personal email in mid-April.
“My intention was never to offend anybody,” Burke said to more than 25 residents and city officials at the Farrell City Building. I “ask (for) the community’s forgiveness.”
Burke, who retired as Sharon chief of police in 2007, said he “learned a lot” within the past few days and hopes to set a better example. He hopes to “remove the word from everybody’s vocabulary,” regardless of who or where they are.
Several local officials and residents spoke after Burke, some offering support, others admonishing his action.
Rev. Brian Pleasant of One Kingdom Ministries claimed Burke has exhibited an otherwise impeccable character in previous law enforcement roles.
“I don’t think that anyone is standing here defending the use of that word,” Pleasant said. “What I do stand in defense of is this man’s character. I have known him for (close) to 30 years. He’s a good man.”
Lifelong Farrell resident Bishop Martha J. Sanders voiced a stance against hiring Burke, claiming it would set a bad precedent for officers who might “portray racist actions.”
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“I’m so concerned when we would consider putting someone in office who not only said that word, but they wrote it in emails and sent it,” she said. “That’s a forever thing. There are many young blacks in Farrell who are already unruly (and) disenfranchised, and if they meet (Burke) and they know who he is and they’re going to harass him, (and) he’s going to have to say something back and they’re going to say something back, and we are looking to see an incident that we do not need to see.”
Monica Gregory, president of the NAACP Mercer County Unit, said she spoke with Burke to hear his side of things and continuing dialogue is what the community needs.
“That word is a big word,” she said. “I believe dialogue should happen.”
When asked by reporters whether she believes Burke should still get the job, she eventually replied, “He should not. If he’s who he is, he’ll continue to work with the community.”
Mayor Olive McKeithan released a statement Friday in response to the email being leaked and disseminated to major media outlets in Pittsburgh, Erie and Youngstown by an unconfirmed source late last week.
“As the Mayor of Farrell, and as an African American, I stand behind Mr. Burke as Police Chief,” she wrote. “I have known and worked with him for many years and respect and admire his dedication to the community. Until you get to know a man’s character, you can’t judge him by one off the cuff remark, or else would we not have to judge all white people as equally guilty?”
McKeithan told The Herald prior to Burke’s public apology that she believes whoever leaked the email had a personal agenda to defame Burke.
“I know that what Tom said was not right, but I’m more mad about the person who did this and how he went about doing it,” she said.
“This is unreal; very dirty (to) wait until now.”
She indicated city Manager Mike Ceci has the final say on whether Burke’s hiring will be reversed before 2016.
Ceci confirmed the email was leaked after Burke resigned from his most recent job in order lead Farrell’s new department by the start of next year.
Ceci’s first response to the incident was a feeling of disgust at Burke’s lapse in judgement, he said.
After receiving a “barrage” of support from community members backing Burke’s character, however, he hopes the issue will become an opportunity for the community to learn and grow, removing fear of the significant discourse he believes should follow.
“Good can come of it,” he said. Let’s “not make it an immediate indictment. Get to know him and have (an) honest conversation.”
Ceci mentioned council may hold a public forum as early as next Wednesday for residents to comment on the issue.
No decision has been made as to whether Burke will remain Farrell’s police chief in 2016, but Ceci emphasized he plans to follow council’s lead.
He indicated that so far, McKeithan and council member Kim Doss support Burke while members Annette Morrison and Stephanie Sheffield have voiced opposition.
Ceci also pointed out Burke’s email had more than 20 recipients, including a Sharon city representative and Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department member.
“Nobody saw reason to send it anywhere” until now, Ceci said.
“Unless you’re out to smear the guy. If we go in another direction (for police leadership), he’ll be on food stamps.”
Copyright 2015 The Herald