On Saturday, California police officials announced they have launched an internal investigation after officers allegedly shared a photo mocking George Floyd’s death.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they were investigating the Valentine-themed photo — which reportedly showed George Floyd alongside the caption “You take my breath away.” The internal probe was launched after an officer reported the image, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Officials are reportedly looking into where the photo originated, how it came to be disseminated within the department, and who was involved.
A personnel complaint has been initiated and we are pursuing each allegation including interviewing the department member who brought it to our attention.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 14, 2021
In doing so, Chief Michel Moore said the department is investigating two Instagram accounts possibly connected to the image, including one called “Blue Line Mafia.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that the police officer who alerted officials to the photo is scheduled to be interviewed Monday. Moore said any officers who are found to have shared the offensive image “will find my wrath.”
“Our investigation is to determine the accuracy of the allegations while also reinforcing our zero tolerance for anything with racist views,” he commented, according to the news outlet.
If found any employee or supervisor is directed to take possession and identify those present. The Department will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 14, 2021
On May 25, Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, 44, Thomas Lane, 37, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, and Tou Thao, 34, were filmed arresting Floyd, 46, on suspicion that he used a counterfeit bill at a Cup Foods supermarket.
After police pulled Floyd out of his car and handcuffed him, Chauvin was filmed forcing his knee into Floyd’s neck for eight minutes. Floyd was heard gasping for air and saying he could not breathe before he lost consciousness and died.
Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter; Lane, Kueng, and Thao were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. All four officers were fired in light of Floyd’s death.
While Hennepin County’s autopsy report stated that there was no evidence “to support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation,” an independent autopsy asserted that sustained forceful pressure on Floyd’s neck and back led to his death.
Chauvin will be tried separately from Lane, Thao, and Kueng. Chauvin’s trial is scheduled to begin in March, while the other three officers’ trial is set to start this summer.
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[Featured image: George Floyd/Facebook]
