Halifax police investigating black statue hanging incident at Leon’s store

HALIFAX – Halifax police say they are investigating a Nova Scotia man’s complaint about a black statue being hung in the office of a furniture store where he worked.

Staff Sgt. Lindsay Hernden says a probe into the matter was launched after the former employee — who is black — provided a report of the statue being hung from an office window in the Leon’s furniture outlet.

A company news release has acknowledged the incident occurred and said the statue’s eyes and mouth were whitened.

The company has apologized, ordered the store’s staff to take sensitivity training and fired two employees after an internal investigation.

Hernden said the former employee reported the incident to police on Aug. 16, and he said police have been investigating the matter since then.

He declined to provide the precise nature of the alleged crime because the investigation is still underway and no charges have been laid.