POLICE PROBE REPORT OF RACIAL SLUR BY OFFICERS

Wichita Falls Police Internal Affairs investigators are scrutinizing
an incident this week in which three off-duty patrol officers and
three bar patrons argued after an officer threw out what witnesses
called a racial slur, Police Chief Kenneth Coughlin said Friday.

Old Town Saloon Manager Randy Day said three black men who had spent
the evening shooting pool were heading outside when one of the
off-duty officers said, "You guys go back to R&R and sell crack."

Day, who was not present when the incident occurred Monday night, said
his employees told him the men argued and exchanged a few very minor
shoves. Uniformed police officers arrived within a minute to break up
the fight, but Day said it was over before they came.

Although the officers were out of uniform and drinking beer at the
time of the confrontation, Coughlin said the incident is not being
brushed off.

"It's still something we're going to have to look at. We do not
condone any police officer ever doing something offensive to the
public," he said.

Racial slurs fall under "conduct unbecoming," which is any kind of
behavior that is considered inappropriate or will reflect badly on the
image of the police department. Coughlin said punishments for those
engaged in unbecoming conduct range from no action to termination, but
he stressed that no decision will be made in Monday's incident until
all the facts are in.

Internal Affairs officers interviewed bar patrons, employees, the
off-duty officers and officers who responded to the call to 4014 Call
Field. In order for investigators to judge how physical the fight got
and how involved each officer was, one vital piece is missing,
Coughlin said.

The three men who fought with the officers have not responded to phone
calls and letters from the department to give their statements.
Coughlin said he wanted the men to be included in the investigation to
help paint the most balanced picture of what really happened.

Meanwhile, the three patrol officers are still on duty. Coughlin said
only an extreme case, such as a shooting, is an officer relieved while
the incident is explored. He said any suspension in this case would be
premature.

Neither Coughlin nor Internal Affairs officers knew when the
investigation would be closed, but Coughlin said information is being
gathered rapidly to wrap up the affair as soon as possible.

Police reporter Christina Vance can be reached at (940) 763-7533 or
(800) 627-1646, Ext. 533; or with e-mail at vancec@wtr.com.