A Boston police officer who made a racially charged video with the tagline “This summer, black people have met their match’’ will be suspended for six months without pay, police officials announced Thursday.
Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said he struggled to decide an appropriate discipline for Officer Joseph DeAngelo Jr., a four-year department veteran who recorded the video.
DeAngelo Jr. will also remain on probation for six months after he returns to work.
The video, which was shot like a movie trailer, featured another Boston police officer, Dennis Leahy, who police determined was unaware he was in it. It opened with the words: “In the fight between good and evil comes an unlikely pair.’’ It then showed an image of Leahy and a dog wearing a cast.
The pair are described as an “inept cop,’’ and “a dog with a limp.’’ The video then ran the words “black people have met their match’’ over a picture of black women.
Evans said DeAngelo told investigators the iPhone video was meant to be a spoof on Leahy, a colleague.
“It’s a disservice when some of our officers behave like this,’’ Evans said. “We’ve built a lot of trust, and respect in the community, and we want that to continue’’
Evans said DeAngelo is extremely sorry for what he did.
“He caused some harm not only to his reputation, but the department’s reputation,’’ he said.
Evans said DeAngelo sent the video by text message to three police officers, a civilian employee, and at least six friends.
DeAngelo was placed on leave June 15 after he admitted he had taken the video.
DeAngelo wrote an open letter of apology and asked for forgiveness.
“I regret the embarrassment this has caused for the Police Department and regret that my actions may very well make our jobs as police officers more difficult,’’ he wrote. “We all make mistakes in life, and some are bigger than others. I made a big one and ask for your forgiveness.’’
Some black leaders said DeAngelo should be forgiven.
“It’s very clear and evident he made a mistake,’’ said Darnell Williams, president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. “We should find the capacity to forgive people when they make a mistake.’’
Jan Ransom can be reached at jan.ransom@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Jan_Ransom.
