Warren Police Association President John Barnes’ angry email, which rails against state GOP leaders, has caused a minor controversy. Barnes is trying to gather support for a recall of first-term state representative Jeff Farrington, R-Utica, who Barnes described as low-hanging fruit.

According to ClickonDetroit.com, Barnes’ email states that he does not believe police officers should be treated the same as other public workers, including firefighters and teachers. The line that appears to be drawing the most attention is this: “if we cannot earn their respect we will do what we have always done and hit it with a flashlight until we gain compliance!”