James Farrell, a 30-year veteran of the Barrie, Ontario police department, was suspended after sending an overtly racist email with the subject line "Afrocentric math for Toronto's new black only school." (Toronto Star) The message resembles a school math test with 10 "problems" based on firearms use, drug deals, pimping, theft and other crimes.
In one question, "LaShaunda is a lookout for the gang. LaShaunda also has a boa constrictor that eats 15 rats per week at a cost of $5 per rat. If LaShaunda makes $700 a week as a lookout, how many weeks can she feed the boa on one week's income?"
The email was initially sent to three fellow officers. But, it was then sent to the entire street crime unit and forwarded on. Farrell's email address remained listed on the original message. So, it was easy to confront the source. (He admitted sending it and never claimed it was spoofed. Farrell told senior management he did not send the email as a joke, but as a form of professional development to let officers know what kind of material was being circulated, according to the Star.)
Rogers said Farrell has admitted, in hindsight, it was a bad judgment call and is willing to accept any punishment that may result. Disciplinary action won't be decided until next week, when Chief Wayne Frechette returns from vacation.
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