The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has launched an investigation into a police officer caught on camera appearing to campaign for the re-election of US President Donald Trump in New York City’s borough of Brooklyn over the weekend.
On Saturday night, an NYPD cop was recorded in two videos blaring “Trump 2020” on an NYPD patrol car’s speaker in a Brooklyn neighborhood.
“Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube, put it on Facebook. Trump 2020,” the officer says in one of the clips, filmed from above. “Take a picture, take a video, put it on your Facebook, put it on YouTube. Have some fun. Tough guy, tough guy.”
How the NYPD rolling up in Black communities these days (on my block): “Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube. Put it on Facebook...”
— Brandon K Hines (@thumpio) October 25, 2020
Aight MFers... it’s on TWITTER TOO! BI-DEN! 👋🏿😂#Vote #nypdfinest #bidenharris2020 pic.twitter.com/hmXdY8ivbM
In the second video, a camera-man tells the officer to “say it again”, and the NYPD cop repeats over on over the phrase “Trump 2020”.
NYPD officers in Flatbush were allegedly saying “Trump 2020” over and over again on their patrol car’s speaker tonight.
— talia ‘stop filming faces’ jane (@itsa_talia) October 25, 2020
They stopped when someone started filming but couldn’t resist one more — in violation of the NYPD’s policy against endorsing candidates on duty. pic.twitter.com/BJMv4UCvnd
The NYPD tweeted on Sunday that the department is “aware of this video” and that an internal probe into the incident was launched, adding that “police officers must remain apolitical.”
We are aware of this video and it is under investigation by our Brooklyn South Investigation Unit.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 25, 2020
Police officers must remain apolitical. https://t.co/a3XyWCNceb
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Sunday denounced the behavior by a police officer and said it is “one hundred percent unacceptable”, arguing that “law enforcement must remain apolitical”.
“One hundred percent unacceptable. Period. Law Enforcement must remain apolitical, it is essential in our role to serve ALL New Yorkers regardless of any political beliefs. It is essential for New Yorkers to trust their Police,” Commissioner Shea tweeted. “Updates to follow after initial investigation.”
One hundred percent unacceptable. Period.
— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) October 25, 2020
Law Enforcement must remain apolitical, it is essential in our role to serve ALL New Yorkers regardless of any political beliefs.
It is essential for New Yorkers to trust their Police.
Updates to follow after initial investigation. https://t.co/C4zyVYWZvN
NYPD department chief Terence Monahan condemned the incident, saying that “behavior like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with.”
“When you wear our uniform it is imperative to remain apolitical,” Monahan tweeted on Sunday. “Behavior like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with.”
When you wear our uniform it is imperative to remain apolitical.
— Chief Terence Monahan (@NYPDChiefofDept) October 25, 2020
Behavior like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with.
An update will be provided to the public. https://t.co/GTfC7BF5Sx
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also denounced an NYPD officer campaigning for Trump, promising swift action against any law enforcement employee “pushing ANY political agenda while on duty”.
“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,” the mayor tweeted.
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. https://t.co/c2cXwL2wUx
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) October 25, 2020
According to the NYPD, the investigation into the officer will be conducted by the Brooklyn South Investigation Unit. The cop’s identity has not yet been revealed.
As Election Day is only 9 days ahead, Trump continues to claim that every police department in the US supports his re-election.
