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Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/1110/8-29-2002/20020829094504_092.html
Police Chief Slur Prompts Takeover
KEANSBURG, N.J. (AP) - The county prosecutor's office has taken over daily operations of the police department after the acting chief made a racial slur over the police radio, authorities said Thursday.
The slur, captured on audiotape, occurred May 4 when Acting Chief Michael Kennedy called headquarters looking for a patrolman to disperse a group of blacks near an ATM before they committed a crime.
Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye had said previously Kennedy would not be charged criminally but that administrative sanctions were possible.
"Pursuant to discussions with First Assistant Attorney General Peter C. Harvey, on behalf of Attorney General David Samson, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office has superseded Acting Police Chief Michael Kennedy and taken control of the daily operations of the Keansburg Police Department," Samson's office said in a statement.
Kaye, as the top law enforcement officer in the county, has the authority to do so, according to Samson. Kaye also has ordered all the county's "chief law enforcement executives" to undergo cultural diversity training at the Monmouth County Police Academy.
Kennedy, who has apologized for the remarks, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
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