Brevard FOP head apologizes for post on accused officers

Police officers in Buffalo, who resigned after an officer was reprimanded for pushing a 75-year-old protester, are being welcomed by Broward County. Image via Reuters.

The president of a Fraternal Order of Police chapter along Florida’s Space Coast is apologizing for a social media post over the weekend that encouraged officers linked to departments accused of using excessive force during recent protests to apply for jobs in Florida.

Bert Gamin, president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Brevard County, Florida called his post “in poor taste” in a statement sent to local news media.

The message posted over the weekend on the Brevard FOP Facebook page said, “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!” It ended with the hashtags “lawandorderflorida” and “movetowhereyouare.”

In Atlanta, two officers were fired and face criminal charges after video showed them using stun guns on a couple of college students during a large protest. Other officers were placed on desk duty.

In Buffalo, New York, dozens of police officers stepped down from the department’s crowd control unit last week, objecting to the suspensions of two fellow officers in the shoving of a 75-year-old protester who fell and cracked his head.

Martin Gugino, remains in a hospital a week later. Now he is the subject of a new alt-right conspiracy theory backed by President Donald Trump in a tweet Tuesday, as the President tweeted, “Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment.  @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?”

In Florida, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey distanced himself from the FOP post Monday, calling it “distasteful and insensitive to current important and critical issues that are occurring across our country.”

“While I absolutely understand everyone’s concerns regarding this post and it’s inflammatory nature, please understand and accept that our agency had nothing to do with its occurrence and does not condone it’s content in any way!!” Ivey wrote on Facebook.

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Republished with permission from The Associated Press.