SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. --
South Milwaukee's fire chief is under fire for what he calls a poor choice of words.
The chief admitted to using a racial slur while on the job.
In a statement to 12 News, Chief Jay Behling said:
"The words I chose were very uncharacteristic of me and they never should have left my mouth. I don't condone this type of behavior by department members and certainly not myself. I have apologized to fellow firefighters and made no excuse for my behavior."
South Milwaukee's mayor said the incident has been taken care of and the chief was suspended for three days without pay
But the firefighter's union said this isn't the first time the chief has used racial slurs, and union members are filing a formal complaint. They are asking for his demotion or resignation.
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