The police commissioner of a small New Hampshire town who drew national headlines and sparked the ire of local residents for calling President Obama the N‑word has resigned.
Wolfeboro Police confirmed to NBC News Monday afternoon that Commissioner Robert Copeland, who was initially unapologetic about his remarks, has resigned in response to the criticism that began in the local community but quickly spread nationwide.
Local resident Jane O’Toole spearheaded the call for Copeland’s resignation shortly after she heard Copeland loudly refer to Obama as “that f****** n*****” while complaining about having to see the president often on television at a restaurant in March, according to the Concord Monitor. When she reached out to town leadership about the remarks, officials addressed Copeland directly about the incident.
“I believe I did use the ‘N’ word in reference to the current occupant of the Whitehouse [sic],” Copeland wrote in a response, according to the Associated Press. “For this, I do not apologize — he meets and exceeds my criteria for such.”
The story caught fire nationally after dozens of residents in the mostly white town spoke out against the remarks during a public meeting Thursday evening, with many demanding his resignation. http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/official-resigns-after-calling-obama-n-word