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The future police chief of a town in Pennsylvania has issued an apology for using the n-word in an email.

According to WKNBThomas Burke, who is white, sent the email in April to raise money and books for the residents of Sharon and Farrell.

“Even $1.00 will be greatly appreciated,” the email said. “Them Sharon n***as gotta learn how to read.”

Burke gave a public apology Monday, just months before his tenure as Farrell’s Police Chief begins in January.

WKBN 27 reports:

“To everybody here, to everybody out there, my deepest. I cannot tell you, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. I apologize deeply,” he said.

An upcoming community meeting is being organized at the request of community leaders and the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Farrell Mayor Olive McKeithan, who is Black, says be believes Burke’s apology is sincere, therefore he won’t face any disciplinary action.

“Until you get to know a man’s character, you can’t judge him by one off-the-cuff remark, or else we would have to judge all white people as equally guilty,” McKeithan said. “I have spoken with Mr. Burke and consider the matter as closed.”

The town remains divided on Burke’s comments. Mercer County President Monica Gregory is hoping their meeting will help Burke understand the repercussions of his actions. Farrell, low-income community, has a large African-American community. City Data reports 48.2 percent of African-Americans reside in the town, followed by 45 percent Caucasian residents.

SOURCE: WKBN 27City Data| VIDEO CREDIT: Inform 

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Pennsylvania Police Chief Apologies For Using N-Word In Fundraising Email  was originally published on newsone.com