A San Jose police officer has been forced to leave the department after he sent “disgusting” racist text messages following a shooting at a restaurant last year.
San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata stated on Friday that an internal investigation revealed that former officer Mark McNamara had sent inappropriate messages after a brawl and shooting at La Victoria Taqueria in downtown San Jose on March 27, 2022.
Chief Mata said, “Earlier this week, through an unrelated criminal investigation into one of our officers, Internal Affairs Investigators discovered racist text messages sent by the officer. Immediately, Internal Affairs initiated a separate administrative investigation. These messages came to light recently, and the officer is no longer employed with the City.”
Mark McNamara, a white officer who had been with the department for six years, was involved in the shooting that occurred after a large brawl at the taqueria. Two days after the brawl, CBS News Bay Area reported that an officer had shot a man who had disarmed a gunman involved in the fight.
A subsequent investigation identified Mr. McNamara as the officer who fired the shots at patron K’uan Green. Mr. Green, who was playing football for Contra Costa College at the time, was shot four times and has since filed a lawsuit against the city.
The racist texts sent by McNamara were discovered during a discussion about the shooting and subsequent investigation and hearings held on the incident. In one text, he wrote, “N**** wanted to carry a gun in the Wild West. Not on my watch haha.” Another text from July stated, “I hate black people.”
Chief Mata emphasized that the San José Police Department has zero tolerance for racial bias. He explained that the texts were uncovered because of the department’s efforts to thoroughly investigate all questionable conduct and its investment in a new early warning system. He also revealed that another employee had been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation for their involvement in the exchange of messages.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed his support for Chief Mata, stating, “There is nothing more sickening than a person in power abusing their position. I will sleep better tonight knowing that this individual is no longer carrying a badge and gun. Assuming these allegations are upheld, he should face the full consequences of his actions. Despite this officer’s reprehensible conduct, we have the best police department in the nation and will continue to take action against any employee who disrespects residents. Mutual respect is essential for a successful public safety effort, and we will work every day to strengthen it.”
The San Jose Police Officers’ Association, which represents officers in the city, condemned the texts, stating that they are a “disconcerting reminder that not everyone has the moral compass necessary to be in the law enforcement profession.” The association affirmed that racism has no place in the city or in law enforcement and called for the individual responsible to face severe consequences.
