LEOMINSTER (CBS) – The Leominster police officer accused of making a racial slur toward Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford has been placed on leave.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Kim Tunnicliffe reports

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella announced on Wednesday that an internal police investigation determined that 38-year-old John Perreault was involved in an incident that Crawford said took place during a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.

Crawford was playing with the Portland Sea Dogs as part of a rehab assignment.

Perreault is currently facing a paid five-day suspension from the department.

Leominster Police Chief Robert Healey is seeking a harsher punishment. He says he believes Perreault violated the rules of conduct and engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer.

Under civil service rules, any further disciplinary action would require a full hearing. A full hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

The chief said during the investigation, police uncovered other inappropriate comments Perreault had made in the past. He would not go into detail about those comments.

Crawford responded to the news Wednesday afternoon, saying he’s disappointed, but he wants to put the incident behind him.

“I don’t know how I feel about it. I’m just disappointed it had to happen and to come out and find he’s a police officer; it’s one of those things you just have to just let go,” Crawford said.
“You would think that we, as a nation, have grown past that kind of stuff. It’s one of those things that hopefully it’s the last time something like that happens.”