By Brian Gilliland

LEWES — The Lewes Fire Department said it has concluded an internal investigation, confirming an unidentified member of the organization used a racial slur over its radio in violation of the department’s harassment and diversity policies.

The Delaware State Fire Commission weighed in, after a complaint was made to its office, it said in a release, and found the local investigation satisfactory, but also explained how its own role was limited.

“While the internal investigation and punishment by the Lewes Fire Company appear to have been handled appropriately according to their bylaws, the Delaware State Fire Commission’s limited authority highlights a need for potentially revisiting how firefighter misconduct is managed and overseen at the state level,” it said in a release.

The fire department said it was not going to release the offender’s name, but said the member was removed from office, implying a degree of seniority within the department, a 30-day suspension and will attend required diversity training course.

“The department requires all members to review the department’s harassment policy on an annual basis, and we are working towards a mandated diversity and inclusion interactive training requirement for all members. We hold our memberships to the highest level as we are public safety professionals,” the department said in a statement on social media.

In 2020, according to published reports, a former chief of the Lewes Fire Department used a homophobic slur on social media, resulting in a suspension.