GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A local police chief has stepped down amid an investigation into racial comments.
Former Green Cove Springs police Chief Robert Musco is accused of making comments to a fellow officer around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Last week, Musco submitted his resignation and retirement.
Action News Jax spoke with Danielle Judd, Green Cove Springs city manager, who said if the chief had not taken action, she was going to. She said that after reviewing the incident, it was clear that change in leadership was needed.
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An investigation report said in a meeting about Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Musco allegedly referred to the officer multiple times as a “token” and used a mocking tone when referring to the celebration.
"The chief never denied that he didn’t make the comment,” Judd said.
Judd said she first learned about the incident through a Facebook post by the officer. That was followed by an official complaint and investigation.
According to the investigation report, on several occasions, Musco had one of the officer’s superiors talk with her to “calm her down” and “drop her claim."
“In no way do I think is a systemic issue in our department or of our city employees. I view this as an isolated incident,” Judd said.
Following the investigation, Musco resigned and retired.
“It’s unbelievable. You can’t just go around calling people 'token,'” neighbor Jaleese Calloway said.
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“Next time, you might want to think before you speak,” said neighbor Richard Hicks.
Action News Jax tried calling Musco to get his side, but we weren’t able to reach him.
In his resignation letter, Musco defended his record as police chief, writing that he helped diversify the department hiring women and officers of other races and said he tried to be a “servant leader.” But even after 11 years with Green Cove Springs and a nearly 40-year career, some say that's not enough.
“You got to do better. It’s 2017. You got to do better,” Calloway said.
Cox Media Group
