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Race Report Author: I Left It At Home

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FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville policehave been waiting for nearly five months for a report on allegations ofracism in the department. On March 24, the City Council hired a consultantto check out those allegations and expected to hear the findings in a meetingMonday night, but it didn't. 

Council members hired Cincinnati civil rights attorney Cheryl Grantto investigate allegations of discrimination by the police chief from threeofficers. Grant was hired for the sum of $50,000 to conduct a two-monthstudy, the results of which would be released at the council meeting. ButGrant arrived just before 9:30 p.m., two hours late to the meeting, andshe arrived without her report. 

 

Council members put off a meeting two weeks ago in order to hear thereport Monday night because the written report was not available. The meetingstarted at 7 p.m. Monday and broke up in less than 15 minutes because Grantwas late. 

Grant picked up her rental car at RDU just before 5 p.m. She said shedidn't realize the file was missing until she was on the road, but shedidn't call the Fayetteville city manager until almost 7:30 p.m. She saidshe didn't call because she couldn't find a telephone. 

 

Council members were very upset with the situation. 

 

Grant offered to make her report verbally, but council members didn'twant to hear it. She has promised to have the written draft ready for thecouncil at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The council will reconvene the meeting at 5p.m. to discuss the issue. 

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