St. Petersburg officer terminated for racially insensitive comment, police say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A St. Petersburg police officer has been terminated for a racially insensitive comment to another officer, the St. Petersburg Police Department said.

According to police, on April 18, Officer Brent Clark made a racially insensitive comment to another officer at the evidence processing station inside the Police Department Headquarters.

The Office of Professional Standards opened an investigation, and the Command Review Board came together after the investigation.

The Board findings said Clark asked the other officer if the firearms he seized were taken from a Black man’s house, and said they smell like an old Black man’s house.

“I’d like for him to explain what an old Black man’s house smells like,” one St. Petersburg resident said.

The second officer shared the comment Clark had made with other officers, and a supervisor was informed.

The board said the officer Clark was speaking to described the statement as offensive, derogatory, hurtful, and disgusting.

“I can’t even believe that someone would be working with the police department that would make a statement like that,” another St. Petersburg resident said.

During the review board, it’s reported that Clark did not express remorse, did not admit to the biased and prejudicial nature of the statement, and said there was nothing offensive about what he said. The board said Clark gave an example of associating the smell of curry within a household of Indian heritage. The report said Clark stated the statement he made had no investigative value.

According to police, the board agreed with the allegations of conduct inappropriate of a police officer and Clark was terminated on Wednesday.

“That’s a racist statement in my opinion, so I believe he should’ve been fired,” said one St. Pete resident.

Clark has been with the St. Petersburg Police Department since 2011, and was assigned to the traffic section.

His personnel files include positive reviews. In 2020, Clark was given the Chief’s Award of Excellence. A public safety telecommunicator thanked him for “being what’s right about SPPD.” In 2019 he was nominated for SPPD’s Life Saving Award.

In an internal review from 2015-2016, there was a citizen complaint against Clark. The report said he engaged in a conversation with a citizen who found Clark to be offensive. As a result, Clark was given verbal counseling.

In a performance review from 2014-2015 he was found to be using improper procedures and there were reports of inefficiency regarding his documentation and reporting.

A supervisor commented Clark had become “increasingly negative about his role within the agency.”

“At the St. Petersburg Police Department, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace,” Chief Anthony Holloway said. “We do not tolerate racially insensitive comments or behaviors among our employees, as they do not reflect the values we stand for. Any violation of this commitment will be addressed promptly and appropriately.”

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