Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez is talking publicly for the first time about a top aide being placed on administrative leave for allegedly sending racist text messages to a co-worker Wednesday.

Perez was at the East End Baptist Tabernacle as Bridgeport religious leaders and city officials gave some demands to the police chief.

State Rep. Charlie Stallworth, of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, said Capt. Mark Strauble, who has been transferred from the chief's office to administrative leave, should not be given "a golden parachute" after allegedly sending racist text messages to a colleague about African Americans.

"As long as I'm in the Bridgeport Police Department, it will not be tolerated -- will not be tolerated by anyone!  I'm a minority for crying out loud," said Perez.

The leaders told Perez they will be watching closely as the situation develops.

Perez said it will be up to the Board of Police Commissioners to decide what disciplinary action will be taken against Strauble.

Sargent Charles Paris of the Bridgeport Police Union says "We've been informed Captain Strauble has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, and we're waiting to see what the city's next step will be before we comment further."