Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV
CINCINNATI (FOX19)
A Cincinnati Police officer is under review after a Facebook comment appearing to reference white police officers “looking for a reason to kill a black man.”
Lt. Steve Saunders declined to name the officer, but confirmed administrators are reviewing the post, which was sent to FOX19 NOW by anonymous sources. It shows the commenter’s name as Freddie Vincent, an officer with District 5, sources say.
The post begins with a message to “all my Afro America friends and family” about interacting with white police officers.
“Make sure that you are in a public place ,and comply to all of their commands,because they are looking for a reason to kill a black man. And always keep your hands in the air,and never resist,” it reads.
It comes after high-profile police killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota earlier this month.
“I’m so tired of cops using these famous words “I was in fear of my life”. I’m praying for Louisiana,” the post says.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Chief Eliot Isaac said the comments are under review as they related to the department’s social media policies. His entire statement read:
“The Cincinnati Police Department strives to maintain a culture of professionalism, as well as transparency and accountability for our actions. I am proud of the work of the men and women of the Cincinnati Police Department and our efforts to work collaboratively with the community.
We are aware of a recent post to a commonly used social media site by one of our officers that refers to an interpretation of a law enforcement officer’s actions. The comments that were posted are under review as they relate to our Social Media procedure and our Rules and Regulations.”
Sgt Dan Hils, president of the police union, said CPD’s internal investigators are looking into it.
Cincinnati Police Officer Eddie Hawkins, president of the Sentinel Police Association, said he hopes the incident and media coverage about it this doesn’t further inflame police-community relations, particularly at a time when eight police have been killed in ambush attacks.
“We don’t want this to contribute to what is already going on in society,” said Hawkins. From my understanding it’s an issue that’s been dealt with as a department and we are moving forward.”
