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Ottawa police investigating video of officers making racist comments

A year after launching a program aimed at diversity and inclusion, Ottawa police are under fire after a video emerged showing three unsuspecting officers making racist remarks. Nigel Newlove reports

By Nigel Newlove

OTTAWA (CityNews) – Ottawa police are investigating after three of their uniformed officers were caught on tape making racist comments.

In the video, which was posted on social media, you can hear one officer commenting on how he’s seeing more interracial couples in Toronto.

“You don’t see white and white together. It’s white [and] Asian, white [and] East Indian,” said an officer in the video.

WATCH: Ottawa police investigating officers talking race

The video was recorded at a private residence in Ottawa.

The three officers appear to be unaware they are being filmed.

“Regardless of the intent, the comments expressed in the video have negatively impacted community members and service members. The comments are offensive and they have further eroded public trust as well as internal morale,” Ottawa police said in a statement.

Officers in the video also claim there’s a demise of a white race.

“Our days are done. White man’s day is done. You’re probably right. You’re onto something.”

Someone in the video suggests his son should find an Asian woman to date.

“I told my son he can find a Chinese, Asian girlfriend. If he wants to stay in the mix, get your foot in the door,” you hear an officer say.

“If a police officer does not understand that anti-Asian racism is a thing and is escalating, it’s a huge problem people in Asian communities are faced with,” said Xiaobei Chen, a sociology professor at Carleton University.

Chen says the conversation is troubling and adds to the stereotype of sexualizing Asian women.

“They were talking about them as if they were objects waiting to be I find that really offensive,” Chen said.

The video surfaced as police forces across Canada attempt to address systemic racism in the justice system.

“[It makes] everyone pause as to how comfortable racialized communities would feel in reaching out to police. There’s already a lot of mistrust and this type of video only adds to that mistrust,” said Amira Elghawaby, a human rights advocate.

Last year, Ottawa police launched a diversity and inclusion plan to address systemic racism in the force.

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