SANDUSKY, OH -- Three area state troopers were disciplined after one is photographed wearing a home-made KKK costume, but some were left wondering if the punishment was enough.
The Ohio Department of Public Affairs says 12-year veteran Trooper Craig Franklin was pictured wearing a white cone on his head, and a white paper mask over his face in what is called a K-K-K costume.
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Because of the picture, Franklin was suspended without pay for five days. His co-worker, Sergeant Eric Wlodarski, was demoted to trooper and transferred because he sent the picture to another trooper. That trooper, Jason DeMuth, was suspended for one day because he did not report the incident. All three have to go through diversity awareness classes.
Ohio Highway Patrol spokespersson, Sergeant Craig Cvetan says the three will be closely watched.
"If any of these officers have violations of conduct unbecoming an officer, the original disciplines will be enacted. Which, for sergeant Wlodarsky and Trooper Franklin would be termination," said Sgt. Cvetan.
NBC24 spokes with some African American Sandusky residents who said the punishment may not be enough.
"I wouldn't say fire them. Make them lose their job, because all of us do things we regret," said Roy Arnette of Sandusky. "I think couple of days suspension is not harsh enough."
And Antijuan Smith of Sandusky agrees.
"I mean, they've made jokes. Race jokes.By me being African American, that's kind of scary," he said.