An Odessa Police Department corporal was fired July 19 after an investigation revealed he shared a 1941-era cartoon character known as “Black Hunter” to fellow officers and compared the image to a probationary police officer.
Because the character was a racial stereotype of African-Americans, United Artists began withholding it from TV syndication in the U.S. in 1968.
OPD Chief Michael Gerke determined Daniel Bagues violated the department’s policies regarding harassment and standards of conduct.
According to records obtained by the Odessa American under the Texas Public Information Act, several officers reported that on July 9, Bagues showed them a picture of an Elmer Fudd-like character with Bugs Bunny from a 1941 animated short, “All this and Rabbit Stew.”
The report indicated the character has very dark skin, balding hair and big red lips and Bagues asked each of them if the character looked like a certain probationary police officer.
One of the officers took it as a joke, but said he thought it was weird and awkward. Another officer said he felt uncomfortable and thought it was inappropriate in today’s climate, but said he doesn’t believe Bagues is prejudiced and had never seen him being racist or unprofessional.
A third officer said he was “bummed out” by Bagues’ actions because he himself has been the victim of racism, the records show. He reported the incident the next day.
“He didn’t know how this incident should be addressed, but noted that it needed to be taken care of because if Cpl. Bagues is acting like that towards a fellow officer, it raises questions about how he treats the public,” the report stated.
The officer Bagues said resembled the cartoon character was not interviewed as he was unaware of the incident, the report stated.
When interviewed, Bagues admitted to showing the picture, asking others if the character resembled the officer in question and joking about it. He further admitted his conduct was disrespectful, could be perceived as being racially driven and caused a “humiliating and offensive work environment.”
“Bagues admitted that he messed up, was ‘stupid’ and was sorry because he was not racist and he intended to joke about it,” the report stated.
According to an email from Chief Mike Gerke to Human Resources, Bagues’ termination was going to be reported to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
