The St. Paul Police Federation's president apologized Wednesday for an open letter issued to mayoral candidate Melvin Carter raising questions about the theft of two guns from his home, but denied that the act was racially motivated.
The statement from Dave Titus came after outcry over the letter, which outgoing Mayor Chris Coleman condemned Wednesday.
Carter, who is black, has called for more police oversight as part of his campaign.
"Melvin Carter's campaign has asserted that the amazing men and women of the St. Paul police department are racists," said Titus in a statement. "This is something we categorically deny and find offensive. The intent of our letter yesterday was in no way to revictimize the Carter family and for that we apologize."
The political battle began after Larobin Scott allegedly burglarized Carter's St. Paul home Aug. 15, taking a video game system, cigars, two handguns and ammunition. Shortly afterward, Carter acknowledged the burglary, thanking the police officers who responded to the call. Scott, 24, was charged last week with felony first-degree burglary.
In an open letter to Carter dated Tuesday, the police union asked Carter to address several questions, including, "How did you acquire two guns and where were they purchased?"
"Investigators have still not been able to locate the missing guns or the ammunition that was taken from your residence," said the letter. "…We realize this is a sensitive matter but believe the risk to the community from two additional guns on the streets of St. Paul at a time of increased violence and as the city gets closer to Election Day creates the need to ask for your answers."
The letter also asks why the handguns were stored in a "metal box that was not secured or affixed," although at the time of the burglary a police spokesman said the handguns were in a "secured lockbox."
