Sheffield Lake police officer targeted by chief’s racist prank says incident was part of the pattern | New

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The Sheffield Lake police officer who was the target of a racist ‘prank’ by former city police chief Anthony Campo has said he plans to prosecute Campo and the city.

The officer, Keith Pool, was first identified publicly on Thursday during a virtual press conference with his Peiffer Wolf attorneys Carr Kane & Conway.

As a first step toward filing a lawsuit, Pool’s attorneys have filed a petition with the Ohio Supreme Court seeking disclosure of documents they say the city is withholding. The lawyers also filed a discrimination complaint with the state’s civil rights commission.

“I think it’s important to raise your voice on this so that the city, police department and police departments across the country understand that this racist and hateful conduct is totally unacceptable, period.” said Pool.

The incident took place on June 25 inside the Sheffield Lake Police Department building. Released surveillance footage shows Campo knocking over Pool Police’s yellow raincoat and placing a white piece of paper with the words Ku Klux Klan on the back, then leaving the room.

Shortly after, Pool entered the room, followed by Campo. The chef appeared to be exchanging words with Pool, whose back is to the camera and the camera only recorded video.

“My exact words were, ‘Are you serious?’ What else can you say to the chief of police who just did something so heinous? Said the pool.

At the time, Pool was the only black officer in the force, he said.

Mayor Dennis Bring put Campo on leave after a July 29 complaint was filed with the police union. On the same day, Campo resigned.

Bring did not respond to a request for comment from Ideastream Public Media.

Pool and his lawyers alleged other misconduct on Campo’s part, including posting photos with racist captions on a station bulletin board and using a racist epithet while telling other town employees that he didn’t would never hire a black officer.

“It was just the first time he’s been filmed,” Pool said. “And the city’s failure to hand over the public records documenting his misconduct gives me the impression that they want to protect the ex-chief.”

According to Pool’s lawyers, none of these other incidents resulted in entries in Campo’s personal file, which they received from the town.

Pool remains an officer with the Sheffield Lake Police Department and said his colleagues have supported him since Campo left.

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