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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — A Columbia officer is suspended after an online video showed him repeating a racial slur, according to the Columbia Police Department.
In a release, the department said Sergeant Chad Walker and several officers went to Bar None and found "several violations of the Governor’s Executive Order to stop the service and consumption of alcohol." During this, the department said a man called Sgt. Walker the racial slur.
"Afterwards, as Walker and patrons were outside, there was a heated exchange between them, including Walker’s repeated use of a racial slur," according to the department, adding, "The entire incident was captured on Walker’s body-worn camera and citizens’ cell phone video."
Chief Skip Holbrook will release the body cam video later today.
In the civilian video reviewed by WACH Fox News, the interaction was already in progress: the officer argued with people, saying one man called him the n-word. The man reportedly said the word after law enforcement told him he couldn't "drink his drink." The officer then appeared agitated when multiple people told him he couldn't use the word in that context.