Police diversity chief requests transfer in racial slur spat

In this Oct. 24, 2019 file photo, St. Louis County police Sgt. Keith Wildhaber returns from lunch break to the St. Louis County courthouse on the third day of his discrimination case against the county in Clayton, Mo. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File)
In this Oct. 24, 2019 file photo, St. Louis County police Sgt. Keith Wildhaber returns from lunch break to the St. Louis County courthouse on the third day of his discrimination case against the county in Clayton, Mo. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File)

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - The head of a St. Louis County police diversity unit has been admonished for speaking to the media about a county dispatcher who used a racial slur over a police radio, and he plans to resign the post, a union leader said.

On Sunday, Lt. Keith Wildhaber told KSDK-TV that department leadership needed to take "immediate decisive action" in response to the slur.

"We cannot continue to deny there is systemic racism and discrimination in our department. It's time to dismantle it," Wildhaber told the television station. The dispatcher has been relieved of duties while an investigation is conducted.

Wildhaber was called to a Human Resources meeting on Monday during which he was "verbally admonished" for his comments, Joe Patterson, executive director of the St. Louis County Police Association, said in an email Wednesday to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Chief Mary Barton ordered him to stop talking to the media.

Wildhaber, who was named to lead the Diversity and Inclusion Unit in 2019, immediately requested a transfer, Patterson said.

"Now this very important unit is left without a commander during a critical time in which the department must work diligently to heal and regain the trust of the community," Patterson said.

Police said in a statement that department policies limit employees' ability to speak to the media.

"The department's leadership is evaluating the best way for the unit to move forward and fulfill its mission," the statement said. Patterson said the union will represent Wildhaber in any police disciplinary action.

On Wednesday, the Ethical Society of Police, which represents minority officers, criticized the department's treatment of Wildhaber.

"This should serve as further evidence of the department's consistent tactic of denial, cover-up, silence and/or punish those who speak out," the statement read.

Last year, Wildhaber reached a $10 million settlement in a lawsuit that contended he was discriminated against because he is gay. Wildhaber, who is white, also threatened to resign as leader of the unit in July, saying he was a victim of racism.