Facebook Comments Prompt Ouster of School Security Director

The former Brunswick, New Jersey, school security director faced allegations of racism before he was hired by the district.

Facebook Comments Prompt Ouster of School Security Director

New Brunswick, New Jersey – Comments made on Facebook by a former New Brunswick police director who ran security operations for the city’s schools have led to his departure.

New Brunswick Today (NBT) cites multiple sources who said Peter Mangarella’s ouster stems from a now-deleted post on the social media site in late May. Mangarella wrote, “It looks like it’s time to start cracking heads,” after reports of rioting in several U.S. cities following massive protests stemming from George Floyd’s in-custody death on May 25.

District officials and the board of education have ignored repeated requests for comment by NBT, the news source reports.

Mangarella began his tenure as director of school security in 2011. Previously he served as a New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) director where he was sued for allegedly using a Sicilian slur to describe African Americans, as well as frequently using racially insensitive language. One officer testified via a sworn affidavit that Mangarella was a racist and “out to get” a black NBPD officer.

The case was settled, with NBPD paying the former black lieutenant $172,000.

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