NYPD Officer Suspended for Playing Pro-Trump Message from Cop Car
A NYPD officer has been suspended because he was promoting "Trump 2020," while on the job.
The New York Police Department has suspended the officer without pay, according to WIVB. The officer was caught on video saying “Trump 2020” on his work vehicle's loudspeaker, which violates the department's policy about promoting political candidates or positions while on duty. One of the witnesses, who tweeted a video of the incident, said,
"NYPD officers in Flatbush were allegedly saying “Trump 2020” over and over again on their patrol car’s speaker tonight. They stopped when someone started filming but couldn’t resist one more — in violation of the NYPD’s policy against endorsing candidates on duty."
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea tweeted about the incident on Sunday,
"The police officer from this incident has been identified and suspended without pay. To repeat, law enforcement MUST remain apolitical, reassuring the public that we will enforce the law fairly and without prejudice regardless of anyone’s political beliefs."
It's not exactly surprising that the NYPD officer felt emboldened enough to voice his pro-Trump message while on duty. The Police Benevolent Association, the union for the NYPD, has endorsed Trump in the 2020 Presidential election. This move is breaking a tradition of not making any political candidate endorsements.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also spoke out on Twitter against the officer's actions,
"Let me be clear: ANY NYPD Officer pushing ANY political agenda while on duty will face consequences. We will act fast here, and this will not be tolerated."