The Chicago Police Department is investigating after racial slurs, including the n-word, were recently heard on police radio channels.
The department said it was made aware Monday morning of “inappropriate transmission on a police frequency” and launched an investigation.
“The statements made are absolutely unacceptable and Superintendent Escalante has ordered an immediate internal affairs investigation into this incident,” the department said in a statement.
Audio from the calls, which surfaced over the weekend, reveal a man saying “typical f---ing n-----s” on the radio channel as a dispatcher and officer communicate.
Another person on the radio says, “All black lives matter man, f---ing n-----s.”
An officer on the channel asks the dispatcher to find out whose radio the comments came from but the dispatcher says they don't receive radio numbers.
"You know we don't do radio numbers, but I'm already hollering for my supervisor," she said.
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It was not immediately clear if either comment was made by an officer, but the police department said any officer involved in making such statements would be disciplined.
“Should the investigation reveal that a member of the Police Department made the statements, he will be immediately suspended and disciplinary proceedings will be launched,” the department said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel also spoke out about the calls, calling the comments "absolutely unacceptable."
"The comments are absolutely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our city," the statement read. "The Mayor is eager for the results of the CPD investigation and expects that individual to be held accountable."
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications said it does not believe the comments were made over a city-programmed radio.
"The comments made over the air last weekend are absolutely unacceptable," OEMC said in a statement. "We have reviewed the audio for this incident and we do not believe that the comments were made through the use of a City-programmed radio as the audio in question lacks identifying characteristics of an official police radio. At this time, it is unknown who the unauthorized user is but OEMC will continue to work with CPD as they investigate the matter."
The comments come as tensions between police and the city's black community continue to rise following the release of footage showing the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
