Post by k9packerspd on Apr 22, 2015 20:11:27 GMT -5
Miami Police Unions Clash Over Flag Salute
Miami's top police union representative doubled down on his call for a reprimand against the city's highest ranking black, female cop on Wednesday for not saluting the American flag -- and his charge was met quickly, and
bluntly, by the oldest black police organization in Miami.
In an email released Wednesday to the media, Fraternal Order of Police members and Miami police brass, FOP President Javier Ortiz got to the core of his argument: the religious faith of Miami's Assistant Chief of Police Anita Najiy.
"I had false hopes that the MPD [Miami Police Department] would address the issue at hand. Assistant Chief Najiy practices in the Muslim faith. The MPD apparently is afraid to address this," Ortiz said.
"In the United States, you have the right to practice any religion and say whatever you want off-duty. When you're in your police uniform, you are to be neutral."
Ortiz's statement was met with a sharp response by the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association, which says it represents about 200 black city officers. The group is not associated with the much larger Miami-Dade County PBA,
which represents most county cops.
"Racism cloaked in patriotism is a huge insult to the American flag, the city of Miami police department," MCPBA President Ella Moore said in a letter she intends to hand personally to Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes.
On Monday, Ortiz fired off a letter to Llanes asking that Najiy be removed as commander of the department's Honor Guard because she failed to salute the flag and place her hand over her heart during the Pledge of Allegiance at a
ceremony last week.
Ortiz produced a 23-second video that he plastered over social media showing Najiy standing at attention with her arms at her side as three other top commanders and the chief did the same but with hand covering heart.
Ortiz then cited a section of the police department's code of conduct that allows for punishment if proper attention isn't given during a flag ceremony.
Police brass shot back, saying U.S. military code supersedes the city code when it comes to the Honor Guard. It calls for military personnel to face the flag, stand at attention and remain silent during indoor ceremonies.
And that's exactly what Najiy did, said Miami Police Maj. Delrish Moss. He said the assistant chief was simply following protocol and that not saluting the flag had nothing to do with her personal beliefs.
In his email Wednesday, Ortiz said Najiy's perceived inaction has been ongoing.
Then he upped the ante: If Najiy is protected under the First Amendment, so too are other cops, who should be allowed to speak their minds on social media, disrespect the public, even burn the American flag.
"Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? It is completely reckless to allow this behavior to continue. We aren't the military," Ortiz said. "I have great respect for everyone including those that practice the Muslim faith."
Miami's top police union representative doubled down on his call for a reprimand against the city's highest ranking black, female cop on Wednesday for not saluting the American flag -- and his charge was met quickly, and
bluntly, by the oldest black police organization in Miami.
In an email released Wednesday to the media, Fraternal Order of Police members and Miami police brass, FOP President Javier Ortiz got to the core of his argument: the religious faith of Miami's Assistant Chief of Police Anita Najiy.
"I had false hopes that the MPD [Miami Police Department] would address the issue at hand. Assistant Chief Najiy practices in the Muslim faith. The MPD apparently is afraid to address this," Ortiz said.
"In the United States, you have the right to practice any religion and say whatever you want off-duty. When you're in your police uniform, you are to be neutral."
Ortiz's statement was met with a sharp response by the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association, which says it represents about 200 black city officers. The group is not associated with the much larger Miami-Dade County PBA,
which represents most county cops.
"Racism cloaked in patriotism is a huge insult to the American flag, the city of Miami police department," MCPBA President Ella Moore said in a letter she intends to hand personally to Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes.
On Monday, Ortiz fired off a letter to Llanes asking that Najiy be removed as commander of the department's Honor Guard because she failed to salute the flag and place her hand over her heart during the Pledge of Allegiance at a
ceremony last week.
Ortiz produced a 23-second video that he plastered over social media showing Najiy standing at attention with her arms at her side as three other top commanders and the chief did the same but with hand covering heart.
Ortiz then cited a section of the police department's code of conduct that allows for punishment if proper attention isn't given during a flag ceremony.
Police brass shot back, saying U.S. military code supersedes the city code when it comes to the Honor Guard. It calls for military personnel to face the flag, stand at attention and remain silent during indoor ceremonies.
And that's exactly what Najiy did, said Miami Police Maj. Delrish Moss. He said the assistant chief was simply following protocol and that not saluting the flag had nothing to do with her personal beliefs.
In his email Wednesday, Ortiz said Najiy's perceived inaction has been ongoing.
Then he upped the ante: If Najiy is protected under the First Amendment, so too are other cops, who should be allowed to speak their minds on social media, disrespect the public, even burn the American flag.
"Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? It is completely reckless to allow this behavior to continue. We aren't the military," Ortiz said. "I have great respect for everyone including those that practice the Muslim faith."
