An American police chief is under fire after he was alleged to have made offensive remarks comparing black people to monkeys.

Marvin Hoover, 56, was placed on administrative leave by the Clatskanie Police Department in Oregon at the beginning of August but they did not reveal what he was accused of saying at the time, local news station, KOIN6 reports.

In an official report filed to the Oregon Department of Public Safety, published by KOIN6, two police officers have claimed they saw Chief Hoover make monkey sounds while dancing around the room with his hands under his armpits.

The incident is alleged to have happened in June when Chief Hoover, who has been in charge of the local police force since 2002, was told a recently arrested woman had said she would file a lawsuit against the department for racism and discrimination.

In the documents, Officer Dustin Stone said: “As Chief Hoover was comparing African-Americans to monkeys, I began to become extremely uncomfortable.

“I have never been in a work environment where a manager, especially an executive officer, is openly racist.

American police chief responded to racism complaint 'by comparing black people to monkeys' - Americas - World - The Independent

Clatskanie police chief on leave for alleged racist remarks

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