The city of Elizabeth’s longtime Police Director James Cosgrove will resign after an investigation found that he used racist and sexist language when speaking to his staff.

Cosgrove’s resignation comes soon after New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal replaced the acting Union County prosecutor and called for Cosgrove to step down.

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage met with the attorney general Tuesday morning to discuss the situation.

Bollwage said in a statement, “After meeting with the Attorney General today and discussing a path forward, I have accepted the resignation of Police Director James Cosgrove. Our conversation centered on changing personnel in the Internal Affairs Department, as only the Chief of the Police Department has that power.”

Grewal has instructed new acting Union County Prosecutor Jennifer Davenport to conduct an audit of the department’s workplace culture.

Elizabeth residents began calling for Cosgrove’s resignation after an investigation conducted by the Union County Prosecutor’s office found that he used racial slurs and demeaning terms toward women.

The investigation began after a group of police department employees came forward with complaints.