An investigation revealed that the former NYPD Deputy Inspector had made multiple racist remarks in an online forum going back months.
What We Know:
- James Kobel, head of the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity Division (EEOD) was first accused of posting racist remarks in November by NYC Councilman Ritchie Torres. A City Council probe found that the Law Enforcement Rant, an anonymous online forum used by police, was being frequented by a user named “Clouseau”. Further analysis of the user’s posts found that Clouseau, is in fact, Kobel.
- NBC News reported that on the site, Kobel posted inflammatory remarks about African-Americans and public figures, among others. Some of Kobel’s hateful remarks include: calling Barack Obama a “Muslim savage,” Bronx DA Darcel Clark a “gap-toothed wildebeest,” and Mayor DeBlasio’s son Dante a “brillohead,” all of whom are Black. Kobel was relieved of his command in November and opted to retire in January after being suspended without pay.
- A long legal battle led to the repeal of Section 50-A, a shield law that kept police disciplinary records hidden from the public. After the database was made public, records revealed that Kobel had made racist comments from his work-issued laptop and iPad. In addition, Kobel had lied to investigators on three separate occasions during official department interviews, according to the NY Daily News.
- Mayor Bill DeBlasio said the comments “go against everything we’ve done to build a more inclusive police department.” Administrative law judge Jeff Adler recommended firing Kobel, calling his remarks a “betrayal” of his oath.
Kobel, who served for 29 years, was charged with six violations. Some of which including lying to investigators, releasing NYPD information, and making racist comments. He was set to stand trial on Jan. 25 and 26th but failed to appear in court.
