A Georgia police officer has been terminated after her Facebook post and comments received complaints for being deemed racially insensitive.
The Butler Police Department officer has been terminated after posting about police activity on her personal Facebook page, according to news station WRBL. On Monday, the officer was placed on administrative leave, but department officials decided to terminate the officer after investigation Tuesday.
“The investigation led to the discovery of the Officer being in violation of policy,” according to a statement by the Butler Police Department.
The unnamed officer’s Facebook post included a meme with the caption written on it that reads: “Have you ever noticed that the police leave you alone if you’re not doing anything illegal?”
Via Facebook
Via Facebook
Her post immediately garnered critiques and accounts from other Facebook users who said they had been stopped by police for unfounded reasons.
The officer responded to one comment, saying: “We all do. I bet you’ve been around the white people so long that your credit score is high.”
One of the users who commented, Angela Walker, told WRBL she complained to Butler Police Department Chief Cain Cobb after her exchange with the officer.
“It makes me realize that people like her that have that mindset that “I’m not doing anything wrong, I was just making a joke by making a racist joke” that’s literally racist by making a racist joke. I feel like it’s insensitive to ... even if you think its funny, it’s really not funny to the people that have put up with that mentality for years,” Walker said.
Cobb said the complaints about the officer were valid, stating her misconduct was “absolutely intolerable.”
“I abhor any Officer who carries out their duties in an illegal or unethical manner. I assure you that complaints lodged against any member of the Butler Police Department be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” Cobb told WRBL. “We will continue to strive to maintain the trust of all people and to protect the life and property of others, unbiased.”
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