A former Perth Amboy police officer was paid a $125,000 settlement from the city after filing a lawsuit alleging he was called racist names by other officers during his time on the force.

In the suit, Stephen Petrosino -- who described himself as being "of African-American and Caucasian decent [sic]" -- alleged Perth Amboy police officers called him "half-breed" at least once a week since he started working in the department in 1992.

He filed the suit in January of 2016, and retired in 2017 after 25 years of service.

The harassment and discrimination he alleged was perpetrated by white

officers, the suit said, adding that "the overwhelming majority" of the force was white.

Petrosino alleged that one officer in particular, Sgt. Andy Montalvo, mainly made the comments or encouraged others to do so. Petrosino alleged that Montalvo called him, and other black officers ,"thumbprint," and other derogatory terms like "blacky black," court documents show.

The decision and other documents were first posted NJ Civil Settlements run by John Paff, an open records advocate.

Petrosino also alleges that he was discrimated against after a 2015 injury. Court documents show that he was forced to take a "fitness for duty" test, which he said was not required of any of the white officers returning from injuries.

The suit alleged racial harassment and discrimination, and was settled in August 2018.

Petrosino, whose annual salary was $107,880 before he retired, collects $5,844 a month as his pension.

Paige Gross may be reached at pgross@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @By_paigegross.