The White Florida Officer Who Referred to the Only Black Cop on the Force as 'Token' Has Officially Resigned
After an extensive review of a complaint against a Florida police officer, former Green Cove Springs Police Chief Robert Musco officially resigned from his position. The investigation revealed Musco made several racially offensive remarks toward a female Black officer.
In additional to making the remarks, Musco attempted to halt the investigation into the complaint against him, reported The Florida Times-Union.
A labor firm hired by the department to review the complaint found that Musco violated city policy by harassing Officer Kimberly Robinson in the workplace and pressuring her to drop her complaint.
Musco, who led the department for 11 years, repeatedly referred to Robinson, the department’s only Black officer, as a "token." Although often used to satirically address the only Black person in a group of white people, Musco’s use of the word to Robinson alienated and marginalized her in a space where she should have felt safe.
Last Thursday, Musco, who had been placed on administrative leave since Feb. 6, chose to resign instead of being forced to leave his position.
“We won’t tolerate this kind of behavior in any department,” said city manager Danielle Judd. “… It’s not an atmosphere I would want any employee to work in.”
Musco made no attempt to deny making the remarks.
His resignation letter made no mention of the complaint and instead chose to focus on his work in the department.
“I am proud of my accomplishments, and leave the [department] much better able to address community needs today than when I first arrived,” he wrote in part.