San Jose Police Officer Fired for Sending Racist Text Messages

San Jose, California - A police officer in San Jose has been fired after an internal investigation revealed that he had been sending "disgusting text messages that demonstrated racial bias." San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata made the announcement on Friday, stating that former officer Mark McNamara had allegedly sent a number of racist text messages during an ongoing internal affairs investigation into an officer-related shooting at a local taqueria.

The incident occurred on March 27, 2022, at La Victoria Taqueria in Downtown San Jose, where McNamara was also involved. According to the released documents, McNamara\'s text messages included statements like "I hate black people" and multiple variations of the N-word. In one of the messages, McNamara identified himself as white.

The discovery of these text messages prompted a separate investigation into McNamara, which was launched immediately. Additionally, it was revealed that another current employee of the police force had engaged in concerning dialogue with McNamara and was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata emphasized that there is zero tolerance for racial bias within the police department. He stated that the messages were discovered due to the expansion of their Internal Affairs Unit\'s efforts to thoroughly investigate all questionable conduct, further highlighting the department\'s investments in a new early warning system.

Mata emphasized that his department is proactive and transparent in all investigations, ensuring "promised accountability" for any racial bias within the organization. He expressed pride in the majority of officers whose dedication to the community is unmatched and vowed not to let the actions of a few officers overshadow their extraordinary work.

Mayor Matt Mahan echoed Chief Mata\'s sentiments, emphasizing that there is nothing more sickening than a person in power abusing their position. He expressed relief knowing that McNamara is no longer carrying a badge and gun.

It remains unclear whether McNamara is represented by counsel, as contact information could not immediately be found on a public database. The San Jose Police Officers\' Association condemned McNamara\'s alleged behavior, calling it "beyond unacceptable." Association president Steve Slack emphasized that the incident represents the actions of an individual and does not reflect the values of the police force.

McNamara is no longer a member of the association, as he quit the force, according to association spokesperson Tom Saggau.

In response to the incident, San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire expressed her support for Chief Mata and all the officers, stating that there is no room for racial bias in the city. She emphasized that the community and workforce deserve better.

The police department has not filed criminal charges related to the text messages at this time. However, Chief Mata stated that if the allegations are upheld, McNamara should face the full consequences of his actions.

The firing of McNamara highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing racial bias within law enforcement and the importance of accountability in maintaining community trust.