June 5th 2024.
According to reports, the former Chief of Police at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Beverly Banks, made a troubling statement during a staff meeting in September 2023. It was revealed in an audio recording obtained by Fox 5 that Banks, who is a Black woman herself, stated that she did not want to hire Black or Hispanic female officers due to their attitude. This discriminatory statement led to Banks being suspended from her role, which she took on in 2022.
In the recording, Banks can be heard saying, "I am to the point...I don't want to hire Black women no more. I'm to that point. I ain't got no white women beating down my door to come in and work. But I wish they would. Cause I don't have these problems." Banks also expressed her disinterest in hiring Hispanic women, saying, "I don't have no Hispanic women. Hell, I don't want them neither. Cause you know what comes with it? A whole lot of attitude. And I don't want it. I'm the only one with an attitude in this place. Me."
The news outlet, Fox 5, confirmed the authenticity of the recording and shared it with the Veterans Administration for comment. Upon hearing the audio, the VA made it clear that there is no place for racism and discrimination within their organization. They deemed Banks' comments as "unacceptable."
Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of unacceptable behavior within the Atlanta VA Medical Center. In May, Banks was suspended without pay, along with two other commanders, for "unacceptable behavior." This included allegations of sexual assault and harassment. One of the officers, Deputy Chief Johnnie McCullor, has been accused of sexual harassment two years ago. Despite being under investigation, McCullor remained in his role. His alleged victim, fellow officer Shaneka Jackson, was removed from her position, despite the VA investigators considering her to be truthful. McCullor continued to work under Banks until May.
In response to these suspensions, lawmakers in Georgia are now calling for a full investigation into the internal workings of the Atlanta VA Medical Center Police Department. It is important for accountability and for ensuring that there is no place for such behavior within the VA or any organization. Discrimination and harassment have no place in our society, and it is crucial for institutions to take a stand against them.
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