Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

Wolfeboro Police Commissioner Resigns Amid Controversy Over Racist Remark

The iconic sign welcoming visitors to Wolfeboro, NH
Goldeneye
/
Flickr Creative Commons

Wolfeboro Police Commissioner Robert Copeland has resigned, according to the town police department. 

This move follows days of controversy after reports last week that he publicly used a racial slur to describe President Obama.  Copeland admitted to using the term when a resident sent him an email complaint, writing back, “For this I do not apologize—he meets and exceeds my criteria for such.”

He remained unapologetic at a Police Commission meeting last week. 

The Town Manager and Board of Selectmen issued a statement condemning the remarks and calling on him to resign, while noting they had no legal authority to remove him from his elected office. 

News of Copeland’s comments triggered a slew of complaints from across the country, and threats to boycott visiting the state. 

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.