Sgt. Pat Shearer, a 25-year veteran of the Peoria police force, thought it was not “that big of a deal” that he photographed a group of teenagers holding a bullet-riddled image of the president of the United States and later posted it on his Facebook page.
The Secret Service is investigating the Arizona police sergeant who posted the picture of seven teenagers standing in the desert, some brandishing weapons, displaying a bullet-riddled T-shirt with Obama’s image, which the officer admitted was used for target practice.
Secret Service spokesman Max Milien said the agency is taking the matter seriously.
“Any time information is brought to our attention where an individual or a group of individuals expresses unusual direction of interest in one of our protectees, we conduct appropriate follow-up,” Milien said.
Shearer downplayed the photo as merely a “political statement,” saying “I don’t think that the shooting of that T-shirt is that big of a deal. It’s not like they were going to go out and shoot the president.”
Although the officer has not been relieved of his duties, he reportedly faces several violations of the department’s electronic media policies, for which he could be sanctioned.
“Employees shall not post, transmit, reproduce, and/or disseminate information (text, pictures, video, audio, etc.) to the Internet or any other forum (public or private) that would tend to discredit or reflect unfavorably upon the department or any of the department’s employees,” the department’s policy reads.
This man will be sanctioned for violating “electronic media policies?” Disrespect and deadly force aimed at the president of the United States from a law enforcement officer doesn’t violate a law? Unbelievable. A policeman, even a not-so-bright one, is supposed to be a community role model for young people to admire and emulate. This fool should turn in his badge. –kathleen cross
