The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest organization of sworn-in officers, put out a sarcastic ad on Facebook saying they’re looking to hire the cops from Buffalo and Atlanta who have been disciplined for abusing their power.
“Hey Buffalo 57… and Atlanta 6… we are hiring in Florida. Lower taxes, no spineless leadership, or dumb mayors rambling on at press conferences… Plus… we got your back! #lawandorderFlorida,” the ad reads. It was posted on Saturday by the Brevard County FOP Facebook page, but has since been deleted.
The post was targeting the 57 cops in Buffalo, New York, who resigned from the Emergency task force after two officers were suspended for pushing a 75-year-old man on video. The man was seen bleeding from his head and was taken to the hospital.
In Atlanta, six officers were charged for violently removing two black college students from their car, tasing them, and slamming them to the ground.
Brevard County FOP President Bert Gamin said he was responsible for the post and stands behind the cops.
“The police had the legal authority in both cases. At the time the warnings were provided, the citizens were already breaking the law. Those citizens chose to disregard the warnings. It led directly to escalations and confrontations with the police. When we issue lawful commands/warnings, citizens have a responsibility to comply. The reality is failure to comply leads to escalation,” he said in a statement to Florida Today.
“As it specifically relates to the elderly gentleman in Buffalo, he and others were repeatedly warned by the police to leave the area. They disobeyed the orders, ‘he wrote, adding, “Those Buffalo officers, like many across this nation, are being placed in absolute no-win situations. That field force unit was ordered to clear the area. They followed the orders they were given and followed their training.”
“Our citizens have a right to protest peacefully and legally. They do not have a right to block roadways, trespass on private property, or disobey lawful commands from law enforcement officers,” he told Florida Today.
Gamin apologized for the post and said it was “in poor taste and did not reflect the sentiment that I was trying to convey, nor that of the FOP. For that, I humbly apologize to all of you,” he said.
