Police Official Calls Obama the N-Word, Refuses to Apologize

by Dan Tuohy

UPDATE: Copeland Has Told Officials that He Is Resigning

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Wolfeboro, New Hampshire – Calls for a Police Commissioner to resign have increased since he doubled down on his racist comments last week about President Obama.

Robert Copeland, 82, sparked national outrage after he used the 'n word' to refer to President Obama. A resident overheard Copeland using the language loudly in a restaurant, asked him about it and received a response from Copeland.

"I believe I did use the 'N' word in reference to the current occupant of the Whitehouse [sic]. For this I do not apologize – he meets and exceeds my criteria for such," WMUR-TV reported Copeland wrote.

Wolfeboro's governing body and the town manager have released a statement saying they were "appalled" by the language: "We find it reprehensible and totally inconsistent with [Wolfeboro's] open and welcoming character."

City officials noted that Copeland is an elected official and that they do not have the ability to remove him.

"We are hopeful that Mr. Copeland will accede to the public outcry and finally do the right thing and resign from his elected position," the officials stated.

Wolfeboro's Police Chief, Stuart Chase also has distanced himself from Copeland, according to several reports. The police chief has said the commissioner does not in any way reflect the Wolfeboro Police Department.

Police commissioners appoint police personnel, "including police officers, staff, constables and superior officers, as they deem necessary and to fix such persons' compensation," according to the commission's website. "The commissioners shall make and enforce all rules necessary for the operation of the police force in the manner most beneficial to the public interest."

Wolfeboro, located on the northeastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, was first settled in 1768 and incorporated in 1770. It is named after General Wolfe, the hero of the Battle of Quebec.

The town is home to the vacation estate of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Former Congressman Jeb Bradley, now a state Senate Majority Leader, is from Wolfeboro, and he also has called on Copeland to apologize and resign.

The state also has heard from would-be visitors that they may cancel their trips to the state because of the comments.

Residents confronted Copeland at a public meeting. The discussion begins at the 14:50 mark of the video. Despite the ongoing outcry, Copeland has refused to apologize for using the "n-word," WMUR-TV reports

The controversy began after Jane O'Toole, a local resident, said that she overheard Copeland at a restaurant using the language in reference to the president. Residents demanded at a meeting in Wolfeboro on May 15 that Copeland resign. He was there, and declined to respond. After O'Toole complained to the town,

Copeland then wrote his response to O'Toole confirming what he said and refusing to apologize or resign.

Copeland later had an angry exchange with WMUR reporter Nick Spinetto after leaving the meeting. He called Spinetto "nosy," and then "a skunk."