A New Bern, North Carolina, police officer is under professional standards review after posting on Facebook that the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks was a “justified use of force.”
New Bern Police Chief Toussaint Summers Jr. released a statement Tuesday about the officer’s comments, stating that Officer Nick Rhodes’ comments were “not reflective of the policies and practices of the New Bern Police Department.”
“The New Bern Police Department has received complaints/concerns from the community regarding particular comment made by an Officer of the New Bern Police Department,” reads a letter from Summers. “The New Bern Police Department understands the impact the comments have had on the community.”
The officer reportedly posted about the shooting of Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Atlanta Black man who was fatally shot by police after he struggled with, then ran from police during a DUI arrest. Rhodes, according to North Carolina’s ABC-12, wrote on Facebook that the shooting would have been life or death for the officers involved.
"If you think the Atlanta shooting is anything other than a justified use of force, I have a uniform and a gun you can wear. Let us know if you prefer burial or cremation. You won't make it."
Former Atlanta Police Department Officer Garrett Rolfe shot Brooks as he ran from him in a Wendy's parking lot. He has since been fired and charged with murder.
»RELATED: Burke County sheriff thinks use of force in Atlanta shooting justified
Rhodes’ comments on Facebook reflect a trend of law enforcement officers taking to Facebook and other social media platforms to share their reflections on the police altercations that have ended in death for suspects or civilians.
A Georgia officer was recently fired for her Facebook comments and a meme that stated “the police leave you alone if you’re not doing anything illegal.”
Offline, three other North Carolina police officers were fired from the Wilmington Police Department after being accused of making inappropriate jokes and racial slurs that were caught on video. Cpl. Jessie Moore and Officers Kevin Piner and Brian Gilmore were all fired for violating standards of conduct, according to news reports.
Summers has asked for the public’s patience as his department reviews Rhodes’ case.
“We believe in holding ourselves accountable to those we serve,” according to Summers’ letter. “I ask for the community’s patience as we complete a review of this incident to ensure thoroughness and fairness.”
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