A Minneapolis police lieutenant for 18 years is under internal investigation for allegedly implying that U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is a terrorist.

Two officers who declined to be named told the Star Tribune that Lt. Bob Kroll made the comments during a police ethics training this week.

Ellison is the first Muslim elected to Congress. He  represents the  5th District, which includes Minneapolis.

Kroll allegedly said we are “at war with Islamic terrorists” and that “one was elected to Congress,” according to the Star Tribune.

Kroll, who is also vice president of the Police Federation, denied making such comments, saying he’s smarter than that.

Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan issued a public apology to Ellison. In an e-mail sent to all employees, he called Kroll’s remarks unacceptable. Mayor R. T. Rybak  denounced Kroll’s remarks as “shockingly ignorant.