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Racism Report to be Released in Fayetteville

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FAYETTEVILLE — A report on Fayetteville'sspecial investigation on racism in the city will be released Monday night.The meeting will hopefully answer questions of racism in the FayettevillePolice Department. 

It's an issue that has split the city council as well as people in thecity. Chances are, the meeting will not clear up all the controversy. 

"I think every citizen in the county and city is interested to see whathappens with this report," said Bobby Owens, Fayetteville resident. 

The city council hired Cincinnati civil rights lawyer Cheryl Grant inMarch to investigate allegations by three officers that Fayetteville'spolice chief discriminated against them. 

No one is sure what the report will say but investigator Hubert Peterkin,who has been with the department for over 10 years, said he thinks theclaims are unfounded. 

 

Some council members said they don't need the report to know there isa problem. 

"In my heart, I don't see how she can not find anything," said Ida Ross,councilwoman. "In my heart, I really don't." 

No matter what the report shows, many believe the city will remain divided. 

 

The city has made some changes since the controversy began. An employeerelations team has been hired to give suggestions to the city on how itcan improve diversity. The police department itself held a cross-culturalcommunications class in mid-June and people believe similar suggestionswill be made in the report. 

   

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