US policeman allowed to retire after telling white driver ‘we only kill black people’

A Georgia police lieutenant recorded on video saying "we only kill black people" during a traffic stop is being allowed to retire.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Cobb County Public Safety Director Sam Heaton confirmed on Friday that Lieutenant Greg Abbott "did request an immediate retirement and we have approved his request".

The announcement came a day after police Chief Mike Register told reporters he intended firing Abbott.

Heaton told the newspaper the officer would have been entitled to full retirement benefits even if he was terminated.

Mr Abbott was recorded on dashcam video from a July 2016 traffic stop.

In the video, filmed in July 2016, the woman is heard exchanging words with Cobb County Police Department Lieutenant Greg Abbott, from the drivers seat of her car.

Mr Abbott, 27, reportedly asked her to use her mobile phone to make a call, but she said she was too scared to lower her hands because she'd "seen way too many videos of cops".

"But you're not black," Mr Abbott replied. 

"Remember, we only kill black people.

"In all the videos you've seen, have you seen white people get killed?"