Police remove stuffed monkey from patrol car after complaint A North Carolina police chief is apologizing for a police cruiser which contained a stuffed monkey wearing a hat and with dreadlocks after a social media post called it racist

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A North Carolina police chief is apologizing after officers carried a stuffed black dreadlock-wearing monkey in the back seat of their police cruiser.

Police said the toy was used to calm children who have been traumatized by anything from a fire to an act of violence.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the chief said she understands why people were offended. Thompson said steps are being taken to make sure nothing like that happens again.

———

Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com