Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's best move toward achieving reconciliation between police and the black community would be to drop any association with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Clarke, who is black, said de Blasio started the rift by siding with protesters over police after a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict a white police officer in the death of Eric Garner.
"If he wants to sound sincere and support law enforcement all across NYPD and America, he has to issue a public statement or written statement disavowing any more association with race hustler Al Sharpton," Clarke said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's
"Hannity."
"Al Sharpton is a vulgar human being. He's divisive and he spews hate."
Clarke said President Barack Obama and Attorney Gen. Eric Holder also should distance themselves from Sharpton.
"No person holding a high position in the United States should keep company with Al Sharpton, should take counsel from Al Sharpton or be seen with him," Clarke said.