Black officer fired for using N-word on bodycam

Does a speaker’s intent matter, or should using certain words constitute a sackable offense whatever the context?

After white New York Times reporter Donald McNeil Jr. was recently ousted for reportedly using the N-word while quoting another person, a new case in Florida has added further fuel to that thorny debate.

A black school resource officer in the state was fired Tuesday after a random audit of his bodycam revealed that he had used the N-word multiple times.

Delvin White, an officer at Middleton High School, was dismissed Tuesday for “violations of policy that prohibit discriminatory conduct,” the Tampa Police Department said.

The eight-year veteran was recorded using the racial slur while on the phone and driving home from an off-duty assignment on Nov. 13, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He later used it again while talking on the phone with his wife.

Footage also captured White saying the N-word twice while arresting someone for trespassing on Nov. 30, according to police.

White insisted to his supervisor that he hadn’t meant the word in a derogatory way when using it during the arrest.

He argued that the N-word was “commonly used in today’s society as a means of shared culture and experiences among the African American community,” authorities said.

However, White’s superiors remained unconvinced by his explanation.

Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said in a statement: “Derogatory statements made by police officers jeopardize the trust that our department works to establish with our community.”

“Tampa Police officers are held to a higher standard and incidents like this negatively impact the entire law enforcement profession,” Dugan added.

The Tampa Police Benevolent Association issued its own statement on Facebook backing White.

“The facts in the Delvin White matter do not reflect an act or any intent that warrants the punishment he received for his alleged transgression,” the Association said.

“Officer White is a beloved and trusted member of the East Tampa community that he was raised in and that he protected every day,” it added. “Despite his misstep, throughout the investigation, private citizens and other individuals associated with his school contacted the Chief of Police lending their support and reflecting their admiration for his character and contributions.”

The Association said it would “file a formal grievance on Officer White’s behalf with the hope and expectation of getting this valued Officer back to work.”