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Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays.
Cop set for disciplinary hearing
Updated: July 18, 2012, 1:13 PM ET
Associated Press
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LEOMINSTER, Mass. -- A Massachusetts police officer was put on paid leave Wednesday after an internal investigation found that he directed a racial slur at Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford.
Officer John Perrault was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next week at which he could face more severe punishment, and even could be fired, Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella and police chief Robert Healey said.
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Perreault engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer, according to the chief and mayor.
The officer, who is white, was placed on desk duty after the July 5 incident. He was described as a veteran officer with no prior disciplinary problems.
He was off duty and attending a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.
Witnesses said a heckling fan called Crawford, who is black, a "monday" before a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs. Crawford said he interpreted the word as a racial slur.
The word can be used as a derogatory term for blacks, and is often associated with Mondays being one of the least-liked days of the week.
Crawford was playing for the Double-A Sea Dogs while rehabilitating a wrist injury.
Crawford alerted stadium officials to the remark, and team management apologized.
Leominster police reached out to Crawford as part of their investigation but did not talk to him, Mazzarella said.
The mayor and chief also issued an apology to Crawford.
Crawford returned to action for the Red Sox on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
Cop set for disciplinary hearing
Updated: July 18, 2012, 1:13 PM ET
Associated Press
RECOMMEND153TWEET65COMMENTS630EMAILPRINT
LEOMINSTER, Mass. -- A Massachusetts police officer was put on paid leave Wednesday after an internal investigation found that he directed a racial slur at Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford.
Officer John Perrault was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next week at which he could face more severe punishment, and even could be fired, Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella and police chief Robert Healey said.
More On The Red Sox
Gordon Edes and the rest of the ESPNBoston.com team have the Red Sox covered for you. Blog
Perreault engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer, according to the chief and mayor.
The officer, who is white, was placed on desk duty after the July 5 incident. He was described as a veteran officer with no prior disciplinary problems.
He was off duty and attending a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.
Witnesses said a heckling fan called Crawford, who is black, a "monday" before a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs. Crawford said he interpreted the word as a racial slur.
The word can be used as a derogatory term for blacks, and is often associated with Mondays being one of the least-liked days of the week.
Crawford was playing for the Double-A Sea Dogs while rehabilitating a wrist injury.
Crawford alerted stadium officials to the remark, and team management apologized.
Leominster police reached out to Crawford as part of their investigation but did not talk to him, Mazzarella said.
The mayor and chief also issued an apology to Crawford.
Crawford returned to action for the Red Sox on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
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