Deputy Fired For ‘Inciting Violence’ On Facebook Previously Interfered With Wife’s Felony Fraud Case, Records Show

SAN ANTONIO – A veteran Bexar County sheriff’s deputy fired last month for “inciting violence” with an offensive Facebook post was previously suspended from the agency but kept his job after interfering with a felony fraud case against his then-wife, personnel records confirm. Deputy Jack “Jackie” Farmer was terminated in mid-September, months after posting on Facebook…

Police Officer Reprimanded For Facebook Post About Mentally Ill Man Missing For Months

The Ackerman Police Department has reprimanded a police officer for an offensive social media post about a mentally ill man missing since August. Ackerman Police Chief Tim Cook said Officer Amanda Vance was reprimanded for using abusive language regarding 27-year-old Travis Sean Hunt, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The offending post refers to allegations that the search…

Dallas Officers Disciplined For Offensive Social Media Posts

DALLAS — More than a dozen Dallas police officers have been disciplined for making offensive statements on social media, including posts that were bigoted or made light of police violence. The police department announced Thursday that 13 officers whose posts violated department policy would receive punishments ranging from a written reprimand to unpaid suspension. Two…

A Vermont Police Chief Was Ousted Over His Social Media Use. Then His Replacement Was Too.

Two police chiefs in Vermont’s largest city were ousted Monday after they anonymously taunted and “engaged” critics of Burlington’s police department, officials said. The first chief to go, Brandon del Pozo, resigned Monday. The departure came after a local newspaper, Seven Days, reported that the former chief had targeted Charles Winkleman, a local political activist and critic of…

Akron Should Rehire Cop Fired Over Facebook Post About Louis Farrakhan, Arbitrator Says

CLEVELAND, Ohio — An arbitrator has ruled an Akron police detective fired earlier this year over a social media post about Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan should get his job back, according to the union that represents the city’s officers. The arbitrator found the city’s February firing of 23-year department veteran James Anthony to…

From “Frito-Bandito” To “Watermelon” Comments: Warwick Police Face Social Media Criticism

The Warwick Police Department is facing criticism for its handling of social media, after recent posts including identifying a dark-skinned suspect as the “Frito Bandito” — and elicited a “bring the watermelon” comment on a post regarding two black suspects.  Warwick Police Chief Colonel Rick Rathbun addressed the “Frito-Bandito” post — and why the Department…

Police Sergeant Facing Discipline Over Anti-Muslim Facebook Posts Launches Free-Speech Lawsuit

“To protect and to serve” has become the ubiquitous motto of law enforcement departments across America. But now a group of attorneys are questioning the boundaries of that creed — through a database exposing thousands of discriminatory and violent social media posts from police officers. The database, called the Plain View Project, was launched by Philadelphia…

Boston Firefighter Accused Of Posting ‘N-Word’ Online Following The Firing Of Another Firefighter

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission ordered the Boston Fire Department on Thursday to fully investigate allegations that a firefighter made racist and otherwise controversial comments on social media, following the firing of one firefighter who faced similar allegations. The decision issued Thursday instructs the department to investigate the allegations that a firefighter, referred to as…

At Least Two Phoenix Cops To Be Disciplined Over Facebook Posts

At least two sergeants with the Phoenix Police Department will be disciplined for sharing inflammatory Facebook posts vilifying Muslims and maligning others. But rather than face consequences for violating department policy, some officers are bemoaning their perceived lack of free speech, applying for jobs elsewhere, and even suing the city for trying to discipline them…

Phoenix Police Sergeant Sues Department Over Facebook Investigation

A police sergeant is suing the Phoenix Police Department in federal court, claiming the agency violated his First Amendment rights by trying to discipline him for his Facebook posts that disparaged Muslims and undocumented immigrants. Sgt. Juan Hernandez shared 11 memes or “news articles” that say Muslims are criminals or refer to immigrants as illegal. Hernandez’s Facebook posts were…

Arbitrator Sides With City, Upholds Suspension Of Officer For ‘Hateful’ Facebook Tirade

An Orlando police officer who posted an expletive-laden tirade on Facebook in 2017 will face the 80-hour suspension initially handed to him by the department, an arbitrator ruled last month. The ruling comes months after the arbitration hearing for the officer, Robert Schellhorn, in which he testified that an “emotional buildup” over recent police deaths…

Huge “Police Lives Matter” Facebook Page Run From Kosovo, Pushed Misinformation About U.S. Cops

The “Police Lives Matter” Facebook page accumulated over 170,000 fans, with viral content that reached more Facebook users than some of the largest media outlets. The page purported to be run by U.S. police officers, with cops posting about the “first dayshift of my career with a K9” or being “brand new dad.” Other posts…

First Responders, Cops, And Detention Officers Across The Nation Joined A Facebook Group Set Up By A Violent Militia Leader

Dozens of first responders, detention officers, police, and enlisted military personnel joined or were added to Roll Call, a Facebook group set up by a notorious militia leader where administrators and members shared content promoting violence against Muslims, undocumented immigrants, and other groups. Chris Hill, a Marine veteran who leads the III% Security Force, attracted…