By Rebecca Cohen — NBC News
A San Jose, California, police officer was fired after an investigation revealed he had sent "disgusting text messages demonstrating racial bias," San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata said in a statement Friday.
The former officer, Mark McNamara, who had been with the police department for six years, according to the release, was found to have allegedly sent several racist text messages during an internal affairs probe into a criminal investigation against another officer. The officer was involved in a shooting at the La Victoria taqueria in downtown San Jose on March 27, 2022, in which McNamara also participated.
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Mata said that when the text messages were discovered, a separate investigation into McNamara was "immediately" launched.
"I hate black people," read one of the text messages McNamara sent, according to documents released by police. In another message, McNamara identifies himself as a target.
He also used variations of the N-word several times, according to the set of messages released by police.
Documents from the San Jose, California, police show numerous racist messages that were allegedly sent by one of their officers, now fired. NBC Bay Area
Another police employee who received some of McNamara's messages "engaged in a troubling dialogue with the former officer," Mata said. The official, whose identity has not been revealed, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
"There is zero tolerance for even a single expression of racial bias in the San Jose Police Department," Mata said in the statement, adding that "the messages were found due to the expansion of our Internal Affairs Unit's efforts to thoroughly investigate all questionable conduct. And that's why we've invested in a new early warning system," he explained.
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Mata said this is the "promised accountability" and said his department is "proactive and transparent" in all investigations.
"If any employee's racial bias rears its ugly head, rest assured that I will take immediate action to ensure they are not part of this organization," Mata said. "I am extremely proud of the 99.9% of officers whose accomplishments and dedication to this community are unparalleled and I will not allow the actions of a few officers to tarnish the extraordinary work being done in our city every day."
"There is nothing more disgusting than a person with power abusing his position," Mayor Matt Mahan said in the statement. "I will sleep better tonight knowing that this individual is no longer carrying a badge or weapon."
It was unclear whether McNamara is represented by an attorney. McNamara's contact information could not immediately be found in a public database.
In a statement Saturday, San Jose Police Officers Association President Steve Slack called the alleged behavior "beyond unacceptable" and said "we condemn it in the strongest possible terms."
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"This incident represents the actions of an individual. It is not a reflection of those of us who serve with honor and who treat every member of our community with the respect and dignity they deserve," the statement said. "If these allegations are true, then this individual must face the harshest possible consequences."
McNamara is no longer represented by the association.
"He left the police force and therefore loses his union membership," said the association's spokesman, Tom Saggau.