Boston’s reputation for perceived racial insensitivity took another hit this week, as the Boston Police Department announced they were suspending officer Joseph DeAngelo Jr. for a leaked, viral video featuring the tagline, “This summer, black people have met their match.”
The video in question was a parody-style, faux trailer featuring fellow Boston officer, Dennis Leahy. Police later determined Leahy was unaware he was in the clip, in which DeAngelo referred to Leahy as a “chronic masturbator,” “creepy,” and an “inept cop.”
DeAngelo’s video opened with a screen overlay featuring the following:
“In the fight between good and evil comes an unlikely pair for the job. Officer Dennis “Cheese” Leahy. Chronic masturbator. Creepy. Inept cop.”
DeAngelo’s video spliced in clips of homeless black men and a group of black women from a festival with another overlay that read, “This summer, black people have met their match.”
According to the Boston Globe, Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said he wrestled with the decision of choosing an appropriate method of disciple for DeAngelo. Ultimately, DeAngelo—who has been with the department four years—will face a six-month, unpaid suspension and another six-month probationary period upon his return.
“It’s a disservice when some of our officers behave like this,” Evans told the Globe. “We’ve built a lot of trust, and respect in the community, and we want that to continue. He caused some harm not only to his reputation, but the department’s reputation.”
DeAngelo is believed to have sent the video to several other officers and at least six friends. He has been on administrative leave since June 15.
The incident comes on the heels of several high-profile killings of black citizens by police in different cities.
In May, Oklahoma police officer Betty Shelby was acquitted after shooting and killing Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man, in September 2016.
On June 16, Minnesota police officer Jeronimo Yanez was found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter. Yanez fatally shot and killed Philando Castile last July during a traffic stop. Castile was in the car with his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds and her four-year-old daughter. During the video, which Reynolds uploaded to Facebook Live, Castile confirmed to Yanez that he was in possession of a registered firearm.
