A racist comment uttered/written by a police officer is worse than that same officer abusing their spouse and/or child. An officer charged with abuse can simply plea the case down under MCL 769.4a (to circumvent the federal Lautenberg/DV gun ban) OR have the charges dismissed, and the officer is put back on duty. No problem - and no outcry from officials and the public.
The chances of a police officer in the state of Michigan, who is charged with/convicted of DV, loosing their job is very slim - Because, spouses and children of police officers don't count - they have no rights and laws are not intended protect them.
BUT, God forbid that same abusing officer utter a racist comment - because for that, he can lose his job.
I'm not condoning Officer Khan's racist remark or downplaying it. I just want to know why he lost his job for a racist comment, but not for violently abusing his ex-wife and child? If anyone was in danger, it was his wife and child whom he assaulted. If anything, this case points to the value society has placed on the an officer's spouse and their children.
It shows the sad state we are in when it comes to protecting victims of OIDV, here in Michigan. I mean, look at the press conferences the Warren PD held after Officer Khan's racist remark was reported. Now, look at the press conferences the Warren PD held after Officer Khan assaulted his ex-wife and child. Where was the Warren PD chief's call for justice for Khan's OIDV's assaults. AND, where was the chief's outrage when Khan retaliated against Officer Arthur Gill for reporting Khan for child abuse?
And it's not just with the Warren PD that this problem exists. Back in 2008 Detroit PD Officer Gary Steele assaulted his ex-girlfriend. He was originally charged with: Torture; Assault w/intent to commit murder; Assault w/intent to do great bodily harm less than murder; 2 counts felonious assault w/a dangerous weapon; weapons / firearm discharge in or at a building; Felony firearm.
Steele was facing life in prison for his OIDV assault. Did he lost his job? Oh hell no - he pled under MCL 769.4a/the Lautenberg Loophole, and was placed back on duty. However, in 2019, Steele posted a racist video - and for that, he was terminated from the Detroit PD.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer's message today was affirmation: OIDV victims don't count and neither do the brave officers who report OIDV.
Warren Police officer on leave after alleged racist comments on social media
Fox 2 News - Detroit
June 15, 2021
WARREN, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Warren Police Officer has been placed on administrative leave after he got into a war of words on Facebook and is accused of posting racist comments.
Tamia Brooks said a few days ago, she was browsing Facebook when she came across a video of an unruly passenger getting taken off a plane that was diverted to Detroit last week. When she commented on it, the Warren officer responded.
" I decided to comment on it I was talking to somebody about it and he just jumped into the conversation with all his racist stuff," Brooks said.
"I decided to comment on it because I didn't like what they were saying. I was talking to somebody about it and he just jumped into the conversation with all this racist stuff
After he jumped in, she called him ignorant in response to his racial commentary. He then went on a rant, saying the following:
"Black on Black crime is beyond repair, Black babies having Black babies - no men - man enough to stay with one lady and raise his kids. Every kids ambition is to either be a rapper or a basketball players or drug dealer. I'm ignant - drop out rate is astronomical. I (sic) other words a group of low life thugs and that is facts! Glad I wasn't born bl&@k. I would kill myself!"
"I have never had an experience of anyone saying something to me like that to me so I was just, kind of, taken aback," Brooks said.
When she learned that the post appeared to come from a Warren Police Officer, she called the department. An internal investigation was started and the officer in question was put on administrative leave.
Commissioner Bill Dwyer released a statement that said: "...Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated."
Brooks said a suspension isn't enough and is working with the internal affairs.
"I want him to get fired," she said. "I just thank them for taking it seriously."
The officer, a 21-year veteran of the force, was suspended last year after a domestic incident. He was reinstated after being acquitted of the charges.
Warren officer under investigation for racist Facebook posts
Click On Detroit - WDIV
Jun 14, 2021
Warren police commissioner plans to take swift action over officer's racist posts
Click On Detroit - WDIV
Jun 15, 2021
Warren police commissioner plans to take swift action over officer’s racist online post
Internal affairs investigation has been launched
Click On Detroit - WDIV
Jun 15, 2021
WARREN, Mich. – A man identified as a Warren police officer took to Facebook on a local media story and proceeded to make racially inflammatory comments.
In the post, he claims Black people are the most racist in the world, they are all lost, Black on Black crime is beyond repair, Black men don’t support their children and continues on, ending it with saying he was glad he wasn’t born Black because he’d kill himself.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer confirms the department was made aware Monday and an internal affairs investigation has been launched.
He also says the officer has been placed on administrative leave for now, but this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
Dwyer talked about how it is impacting other officers in the department.
“Very negative impact on every man and woman, the men and women in blue,” said Dwyer.
“We have a lot of minorities. We have African American Police officers here and they’re very disappointed in what happened. I can tell you that.”
Dwyer added that we’ll know the fate of this officer as early as Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Dwyer also released a statement on Tuesday:
“This incident involves alleged comments posted to Facebook by an off-duty officer using his personal Facebook profile. Upon being made aware of the allegation, the Warren Police Department immediately launched an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative leave. The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty. Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated. This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Warren Police Department procedures and the officer’s collective bargaining agreement. The alleged views expressed by the officer do not align with mission, goals, and philosophy of the Warren Police Department and in no way reflect on the views of the 200 plus members of the Warren Police Department,” read the statement.
Warren police officer under investigation for racist comments on Facebook
Woman reported comments to Warren Police Department
Click On Detroit - WDIV
Jun 15, 2021
WARREN, Mich. – A man identified as a Warren police officer took to Facebook on a local media story and proceeded to make racially inflammatory comments.
He got into a war of words with another poster who was so incensed by what she saw she did an online search and discovered that he works for the Warren Police Department.
In the post, he claims Black people are the most racist in the world, they are all lost, Black on Black crime is beyond repair, Black men don’t support their children and continues on, ending it with saying he was glad he wasn’t born Black because he’d kill himself.
Tamia Brooks was appalled by what she was seeing, screen captured it and sent it to the Warren Police Department Monday morning before the original poster deleted it all.
Brooks said the department was responsive and got back to her immediately.
“I was like ‘Wow, he really said all this stuff and he really thinks this,’” she said. “This is a cop. You are supposed to protect us. I don’t know if it’s just him who really thinks this about us.”
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer confirms the department was made aware Monday and an internal affairs investigation has been launched.
Here is a statement from Dwyer on Tuesday:
“This incident involves alleged comments posted to Facebook by an off-duty officer using his personal Facebook profile. Upon being made aware of the allegation, the Warren Police Department immediately launched an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative leave. The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty. Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated. This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Warren Police Department procedures and the officer’s collective bargaining agreement. The alleged views expressed by the officer do not align with mission, goals, and philosophy of the Warren Police Department and in no way reflect on the views of the 200 plus members of the Warren Police Department.”
William Dwyer, Warren Police Commissioner
Warren police investigate allegations against officer
Macomb Daily
June 15, 2021
A Warren police officer is under investigation after having been accused of posting racist comments on social media, according to police.
A man, identified as a Warren police officer, allegedly made racially inflammatory comments using his personal Facebook account. A Warren resident who read the posts, Tamia Brooks, was so disturbed by what was posted she did an online search and discovered the poster worked for the Warren Police Department. She immediately contacted Warren police to make them aware of the situation.
"I wanted to figure out where he worked just to let them know what kind of person they had working for them," said Brooks. "As soon as I searched his name I found an article about a dispute he had last year that went to court so I knew that he had a record so I called the police to let them know who he was and what he said."
Police Commissioner William Dwyer said the officer has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is underway.
"The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty," Dwyer said in a statement. "Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated."
Brooks said that she sent a screen capture of the comments to the police commissioner, who responded immediately. She was asked by Warren police internal affairs to submit a written statement, which she plans to do Tuesday afternoon. She said she is scheduled to meet with Lt. James Wolfe from the internal affairs department at that time as well.
According to Brooks, the comments included claims that all Black people are racist; that Black men don’t take care of their children; that Black on Black crime is beyond repair; and that he was glad he wasn’t born Black or he would kill himself. The original post was a news story about someone getting kicked off of a plane that made an emergency landing in Detroit.
"The person I was originally talking to on the Facebook post agreed that although we disagreed about the post, neither of us really knew enough about the situation to be arguing about it," said Brooks. "Then he jumped in and he was already on 10 when he jumped into the conversation and responded with all of that. I just had to do something about it."
Dwyer released a statement Tuesday morning on the matter.
Dwyer’s statement read: “This incident involves alleged comments posted to Facebook by an off-duty officer using his personal Facebook profile. Upon being made aware of the allegation, the Warren Police Department immediately launched an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative leave. The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty. Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated. This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Warren Police Department procedures and the officer’s collective bargaining agreement. The alleged views expressed by the officer do not align with mission, goals, and philosophy of the Warren Police Department and in no way reflect on the views of the 200 plus members of the Warren Police Department.”
Michigan police officer under investigation for alleged racist Facebook comments
MLive
Jun 15, 2021
WARREN, MI – A Michigan police officer is on administrative leave amid an investigation into racist comments he alleged posted in response to a news article on Facebook, WDIV Detroit reports.
The officer, an employee of the Warren Police Department, allegedly got into a commenting argument with a woman and is accused of claiming Black people are racist, Black men don’t support their children and that he’d kill himself if he were Black, among other things, the TV station reports.
The woman realized she was speaking with a police officer, screenshotted the conversation and reported it to the department on Monday morning, the report said. The comments have since been deleted.
“The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer. “Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated. This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated.”
Warren police officer on leave amid probe into alleged racist Facebook comments
The Detroit News
June 15, 2001
A Warren police officer has been put on leave for allegedly making racist comments on Facebook, the city's police commissioner said Tuesday.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said the department is investigating the allegations.
He also said officer allegedly made the remarks when he was off-duty and using his personal Facebook profile.
"The Warren Police Department does not condone the use of racist comments by any employees, whether on duty or off duty," the commissioner said in a statement. "Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in the police department and are not tolerated.
"This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Warren Police Department procedures and the officer’s collective bargaining agreement.
"The alleged views expressed by the officer do not align with mission, goals, and philosophy of the Warren Police Department and in no way reflect on the views of the 200 plus members of the Warren Police Department."
The department did not offer details about the Facebook communication it is investigating. Local media reports said the department was contacted by someone interacting online with the officer and who took screenshots of the alleged posts before alerting the police department.
Warren police investigating officer accused of posting racist comments on Facebook
Detroit Free Press
June 15, 2021
Warren police are investigating an officer who is on administrative leave after being accused of posting offensive and racist comments on his personal Facebook account while off duty.
Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer responded to news accounts of the incident, distancing the department — and its officers — from the Facebook remarks, and vowed it will be looked into.
Dwyer did not identify the officer, although a Warren resident did.
"This allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated," Dwyer said. He added that the department "does not condone the use of racist comments" whether officers are "on duty or off duty."
Moreover, Dwyer said, these kind of statements erode trust and confidence in the department and "do not align with the mission, goals and philosophy" of the force or other officers.
The department was alerted to the comments by a Warren resident who uses the name Tamia Bee on Facebook but was identified as Tamia Brooks by WDIV-TV, and took photos of the comments before they were deleted.
Brooks told WDIV the department was responsive.
In the Warren case, the officer is accused of making derogatory remarks about Brooks and Black people that referenced language, crime, and ended with the comment: "Glad I wasn't born bl&@k. I would kill myself!"
"I was like 'Wow, he really said all this stuff and he really thinks this,' " Brooks said in her interview with WDIV about the officer's post. "This is a cop. You are supposed to protect us."
Warren police officer fired for racist comments on Facebook: 'Behavior is simply wrong'
Detroit Free Press
June 22, 2021
A Warren police officer was fired Tuesday for making comments on Facebook that the department concluded were racist.
In a bluntly worded announcement, the department said:
"This behavior is simply wrong and strains police-community relationships and tarnishes the men and women of the Warren Police Department who dutifully go to work every day and serve all citizens with pride and professionalism, regardless of race."
The social media posts were made on June 13 when the officer was off-duty and reported the next day by a resident. The officer — who was not named in the announcement, but was identified by the resident — was investigated and placed on leave.
Moreover, the officer, Anwar Khan, had been previously placed on leave by the department. He was arrested in 2020 after being accused of assaulting two people in Washington Township while off duty.
He was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony; two misdemeanor domestic violence charges, and refusing to provide a DNA sample, a misdemeanor.
He was acquitted and returned to the force.
Warren police officer fired over racist Facebook posts
Ex-officer fired after internal affairs investigation
Click On Detroit
June 22, 2021
WARREN, Mich. – An officer from the Warren Police Department has been fired after reportedly making racist comments on his personal Facebook account.
Warren police Commissioner William Dwyer announced Tuesday morning that a police officer has been fired after making racially inflammatory comments on the social media platform. The officer’s identity has not been revealed, though officials have identified him as male.
The officer reportedly got into a heated conversation with another Facebook user, Tamia Brooks, who found the officer’s comments appalling.
In his comments, the now-former officer reportedly claimed that Black people are the most racist in the world, they are all lost, Black on Black crime is beyond repair, Black men don’t support their children and more hateful rhetoric. He ended the comment by saying that he was glad he wasn’t born Black, because he’d kill himself.
Brooks said she looked the man up online after reading his remarks, and found that he worked for the Warren Police Department. She sent a screenshot of the comments to the department, which they received and promptly launched an internal affairs investigation. The officer reportedly deleted the comments shortly after.
The ex-police officer was placed on administrative leave last week amid the investigation.
The police department issued a statement Tuesday morning, saying that the city and its police department do not condone and will not tolerate racism.
“These types of actions will not be tolerated by Commissioner Dwyer or by the City of Warren Police Department. They do not reflect the men and women of this Department, nor the values of this Department.
“This appropriate action demonstrates how seriously the City of Warren Police Department views statement or acts of racism by any of its members. They will not be tolerated.
“Commissioner Dwyer wants the public to be assured that Warren Police Department Personnel will be held accountable for such behavior whether occurring on or off duty. This behavior is simply wrong and strains police-community relationships and tarnishes the men and women of the Warren Police Department who dutifully go to work every day and serve all citizens with pride and professionalism, regardless of race.
“The City of Warren and the Warren Police Department do not condone racism in any manner.”
Warren Police Department
Warren police officer fired after making racist comments on Facebook
FOX 2 News - Detroit
June 22, 2021
WARREN, Mich. - The Warren police officer that allegedly left racist comments on social media has been fired from the department.
An internal review was launched after Warren police received a complaint in mid-June regarding an incident on Facebook where one of their officers had posted several comments about Black people, including he was glad he wasn't born Black because he'd kill himself.
The probe determined the officer had violated department policies and Commissioner Bill Dwyer terminated the officer's employment.
"These types of actions will not be tolerated by Commissioner Dwyer or by the City of Warren Police Department. They do not reflect the men and women of this Department, nor the values of this Department," read a release from the department. "This appropriate action demonstrates how seriously the City of Warren Police Department views statements or acts of racism by any of its members. They will not be tolerated."
The man leaving comments online was identified by a woman who noticed the profile claiming Black people are the most racist in the world and that Black men don't support their children was a local law enforcement officer.
She notified the police on June 14.
An investigation that included interviews with the officer was conducted and they were fired on Tuesday.
"This behavior is simply wrong and strains police-community relationships and tarnishes the men and women of the Warren Police Department who dutifully go to work every day and serve all citizens with pride and professionalism, regardless of race," the statement added.
Warren police officer who made racist social media comments is fired
WXYZ News - Detroit
June 22, 2021
(WXYZ) — A Warren police officer who made racist comments on social media was fired, the department announced on Tuesday morning.
According to police, they received a complaint about the officer's comments on June 14. He was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
The internal investigation found violations of the department's policies, and after interviewing the officer and holding a due process hearing, Commissioner William Dwyer terminated the officer effective Tuesday.
"These types of actions will not be tolerated by Commissioner Dwyer or by the City of Warren Police Department. They do not reflect the men and women of this Department, nor the values of this Department," the department said in a release. "This appropriate action demonstrates how seriously the City of Warren Police Department views statements or acts of racism by any of its members. They will not be tolerated."
Dwyer wanted to remind the public that Warren Police personnel will be held accountable for behavior whether on or off-duty.
Michigan police officer fired for alleged racist Facebook comments
MLive
June 22, 2021
WARREN, MI - A Michigan police officer has been fired after allegedly posting racist comments on Facebook last week, FOX 2 Detroit reports.
Warren Police Department investigated the comments after a complaint was filed last week, MLive previously reported. The then-employee got into an online argument with a woman and was accused of claiming Black people are racist, Black men don’t support their children and that he’d kill himself if he were Black, among other things.
The internal investigation determined that the officer violated department policies, and he was therefore fired, the TV station reports. In a news release, the department said “statements or acts of racism … will not be tolerated” from its members.
Warren police officer fired for racist comments on Facebook
Michigan Radio
June 22, 2021
Effective Tuesday, a Warren police officer was fired for making racist comments on social media.
The Warren Police Department confirmed that Anwar Khan's Facebook comments reflected racist stereotypes about Black people. Khan also wrote, "Glad I wasn't born b&@ck, I would kill myself."
Khan was put on administrative leave last week after another Facebook commenter filed a complaint with the police department.
Warren Police Department commissioner Bill Dwyer said the investigation was able to move so quickly because internal affairs made it a priority. He said that Khan received a due process hearing as a part of the investigation.
Dwyer said holding officers accountable for actions on and off duty is a big part of transparency and trust with the people of Warren.
"It’s about public trust, you know. It doesn’t matter if you’re on duty or off duty, this behavior simply is wrong. It’s wrong, and it really creates a great strain on our relationship with the community here," he said.
He said the department and the City of Warren condemn any and all forms of racism.
"This definitely does not reflect the men and women of the Warren Police Department nor the values of the department. I believe that this also demonstrated that we take the appropriate actions that demonstrate how serious we are as far as serving the city of Warren."
Khan's attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Warren Police Commissioner fires officer accused of inappropriate social media posts
City resident brought posts to attention of police
Macomb Daily
June 22, 2021
A Warren police officer who was accused of making racist comments on Facebook last week has been fired after an Internal Affairs investigation revealed that the officer had violated police department policies.
While the release does not make reference to the officer by name, a city source identified the officer by last name as “Khan.” Last year, officer Anwar Khan was arrested on July 4 but later acquitted in Romeo’s 42-1 District Court of a felony and two misdemeanor charges brought against him.
On June 14, Warren resident Tamia Brooks filed a complaint against the officer alleging he made racist comments on a Facebook post about someone getting kicked off of a plane that made an emergency landing in Detroit. Brooks sent screenshots of the comments to Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer and an internal affairs investigation was launched.
According to Brooks the comments included claims that all Black people are racist; that Black men don’t take care of their children; that Black on Black crime is beyond repair; and that he was glad he wasn’t born Black or he would kill himself.
The internal affairs investigation included interviews with Brooks and with the officer in question as well as a due process hearing. The officer’s employment is terminated as of today, June 22.
“I’m very thankful that the Warren police took my accusations seriously and saw what he said and took action,” said Brooks upon hearing of Khan’s termination. “I think the action taken today was the correct action.
A statement issued by Warren police Tuesday morning said these types of actions will not be tolerated by Dwyer or the police department and do not reflect the men and women of the department or the values of the department. The statement went on to say that the “appropriate action” shows how seriously Warren police views acts of racism by its members and that it will not be tolerated and are not condoned.
“Personnel will be held accountable for such behavior whether occurring on or off duty,” said Dwyer in the statement. “This behavior is simply wrong and strains police-community relationships and tarnishes the men and women of the Warren Police Department who dutifully go to work every day and serve all citizens with pride and professionalism, regardless of race.”
Warren police launch program to create a more diverse department
Officer fired over racist Facebook post
WDIV News - Detroit
June 24, 2021
WARREN, Mich. – Police in Warren are starting a new diversity and inclusion program in an effort to hire more diverse police officers.
This effort was announced just days after a Warren police officer was fired over a racist Facebook post. The program was announced during the State of the City Address presented by Mayor James R. Fouts.
Warren police Commissioner Bill Dwyer announced that a police officer was been fired after making racially inflammatory comments on the social media platform. In his comments, the now-former officer reportedly claimed that Black people are the most racist in the world, they are all lost, Black on Black crime is beyond repair, Black men don’t support their children and more hateful rhetoric. He ended the comment by saying that he was glad he wasn’t born Black, because he’d kill himself.
Fred Stempin has lived in Warren for 61 years. He grew up in the house he lives in now and has watched his neighborhood and the city change over the years.
“Warren is a diverse community,” Stempin said. “The police force should mimic the population.”
Stempin said diversity is a good thing. Warren police said they want to make sure the department matches the community it is meant to serve.
“It’s a new division. Professional Standards Division. It’ll be headed by a new captain, Captain Bill Reinklen. It’ll entail the accreditation of the department, more depth in training, as far as bias training, cultural diversity training,” Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said.
Dwyer said he is hopeful the new program will be a learning experience for everyone. He wants his department to accurately portray the city his officers serve.
Dwyer said he’s looking to hire at least 20 minority officers. They’re wanting to hire at least 12 officers by the middle of July.
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