NAACP demands investigation into Fort Lauderdale Police officer after alleged racist remarks

A local chapter of the NAACP is claiming that a Fort Lauderdale Police officer made racist accusations about some of his own colleagues, and now leaders of the group want an independent investigation into the officer’s behavior.

Leaders of Broward County’s NAACP gathered along Sistruck Boulevard on Tuesday to voice their concerns over the alleged racist behavior.

“These are folk who have worked and studied hard, many are degreed, and so never did they think that their peers in this department would look at them as someone lesser than, who didn’t study, who were not smart enough simply because of the color of their skin,” said Marsha A. Ellison, NAACP Broward County branch president.

Ellison said that 12 black and Latino officers scored the highest in a recent police exam to be promoted to sergeant, and said the officer who finished 13th accused his African-American and Hispanic colleagues of cheating on the test.

“The Black and Hispanic officers simply scored better than him,” said Stephen Lopez, an attorney. “Twelve of them. But because he couldn’t accept that, he then created this environment where he accused the Black and Hispanic officers of cheating.”

The NAACP said Officer Steve Pohorence made the accusations, along with other racist remarks.

“Now there will be people who think like Steve Pohorence, but won’t have the courage to tell us what they really believe, and that’s the type of environment Pohorence has created in this department, and the chief has done not enough, not swift enough to curtail that,” Lopez said.

“We are asking for the command staff, the chief and others to hold these people accountable,” Ellison said. “We are asking for an independent investigation. “

NBC6 has reached out to Fort Lauderdale Police and the City of Fort Lauderdale for documentation of the alleged accusations and how the command staff handled them.

The City of Fort Lauderdale released a statement late that reads in part:

“The City of Fort Lauderdale takes these allegations seriously and is reviewing the situation thoroughly to ensure a fair assessment and appropriate action.”

NB6 has also reached out to Officer Poherence and his representatives for comment, but has not heard back.

Records show that Pohorence was previously charged with battery and was found not guilty.