An Owensboro police officer has been suspended after sending racist text messages to his former girlfriend.
Officer Steven Phillips was suspended 26 days beginning July 3 following a complaint opened by Owensboro Police Chief Art Ealum in May.
Phillips signed the suspension document on June 28 accepting the suspension. The documents were obtained by the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer through a public records request. The messages described as “racist texts” were not provided.
Ealum said Phillips brought the offending texts to him while admitting to sending the messages. Phillips also provided a letter from his ex-girlfriend’s attorney about the messages.
Ealum, who is African American, told the Messenger-Inquirer, “Obviously, I don’t agree with the way things went down, but I’d say, to (Phillips’) credit, OPD wouldn’t have known of that situation if he had not self-reported.”
An investigation found no complaints of Phillips making racist comments in the community, according to Ealum, and no evidence suggested a racial disparity in how Phillips arrested people.
“Nor did I have any complaints” of Phillips making racist comments in the community, Ealum said. “He has been with us three years, and I haven’t had any complaints. He hasn’t acted that way while on duty.”
Phillips will receive some pay for mandatory K-9 training.
By Ken Howlett, New Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
