Bloomington City Manager David Hales said the police department took swift and decisive action after it learned of a police officers' racially insensitive comments. (WJBC file photo)
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington city officials haven't said what disciplinary action the city took against a police officer who made racially-charged comments during a large fight at a restaurant in 2013.
City Manager David Hales told WJBC's Scott Laughlin he understands the public's perception of the police is not as strong as it good be, but personnel matters are typically kept private.
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"If it is determine we have to release that, we will but we also have to protect (the employee)," Hales said. "Ultimately, if the attorneys and they courts say that needs to be public, we'll make it public."
Hales acknowledged the disciplinary action was 'serious.'
"That individual was disciplined," Hales said. "I've reviewed the discipline and what was given and it just wasn't anything minor," Hales said.
WJBC has filed requests for the city to release the video in which Sgt. Ed Shumaker told another officer he hopes a black stabbing victim "bleeds to death.' The city hasn't responded to the request.
Hales added police chief Brendan Heffner has made clear the department doesn't condone such actions.
"Those kinds of comments and that attitude is not going to be tolerated in our department," Hales said.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
