Cop tweets: Freedom of speech or over the line?

APD police officer Pete Dwyer is under investigation after he tweeted a picture that compared President Barack Obama to Hitler and comments regarding Muslims. He was told to come in and give up his badge, gun, and car while the investigation continues.

Here are his exact words:

"Next person that says 'imma' instead of 'I'm going to' I'm going to pistol whip."

"Muslims are like Chinook salmon, life's great until the SEAL's show up!"

And here's the picture he tweeted:

So what do you think? As a staunch supporter of the Constitution and a left-leaning Independent, I usually always stick up for freedom of speech. But this man was sworn in to protect and serve the entire community, and I think his posts make clear he would not be so quick to protect certain people in that community.

SOURCE

This is what happens when you use social networking sites. Someone sees it and you get in trouble because you're being careless.The whole grammatical thing doesn't bother me, and neither does the Obama/Nazi flag, but you shouldn't tweet a racist joke and expect nothing to happen to you, especially if you're a public servant.

"Next person that says 'imma' instead of 'I'm going to' I'm gonna pistol whip."

"Muslims are like Chinook salmon, life's great until the SEAL's show up!"

Maniacc1

I think those are more fireable offenses than the Obama thing (which is also stupid but not that fireable IMO).

I also love how he's pissed at people not using proper grammar then says "gonna"

was obviously just a joke, and it's just twitter.

What idiot uses their real name for a social networking site?

What's worse is thathe was already in trouble for talking crap on MySpace.

I think those are more fireable offenses than the Obama thing (which is also stupid but not that fireable IMO).

I also love how he's pissed at people not using proper grammar then says "gonna"

JML897

In the article he used going to, Maniac shortened it.

was obviously just a joke, and it's just twitter.

needled24-7

If I was a Muslim and that guy was a cop in my community I'd feel uncomfortable. I don't care what website he says it on, he can't say stuff like that.

[QUOTE="Maniacc1"]

"Next person that says 'imma' instead of 'I'm going to' I'm gonna pistol whip."

"Muslims are like Chinook salmon, life's great until the SEAL's show up!"

JML897

I think those are more fireable offenses than the Obama thing (which is also stupid but not that fireable IMO).

I also love how he's pissed at people not using proper grammar then says "gonna"

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]

was obviously just a joke, and it's just twitter.

JML897

If I was a Muslim and that guy was a cop in my community I'd feel uncomfortable. I don't care what website he says it on, he can't say stuff like that.

but. me and my friends make racist jokes all the time. if i became a police officer, i'm sure i'd still make those jokes with my friends, but i'm not actually a racist and if there was a muslim person that needed my help as a police officer, then i would try to help them just like i would help someone of my own race.

that's not to say this guy is the same, or different, but there is the possibility that he isn't racist at all, and just makes racist jokes.

with that said, you are still right, he probably should not have made those tweets...maybe making 1 of them would be okay, but all 3 does look pretty bad.

[QUOTE="JML897"]

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]

was obviously just a joke, and it's just twitter.

needled24-7

If I was a Muslim and that guy was a cop in my community I'd feel uncomfortable. I don't care what website he says it on, he can't say stuff like that.

but. me and my friends make racist jokes all the time. if i became a police officer, i'm sure i'd still make those jokes with my friends, but i'm not actually a racist and if there was a muslim person that needed my help as a police officer, then i would try to help them just like i would help someone of my own race.

that's not to say this guy is the same, or different, but there is the possibility that he isn't racist at all, and just makes racist jokes.

with that said, you are still right, he probably should not have made those tweets...maybe making 1 of them would be okay, but all 3 does look pretty bad.

I'm all for free speech but if you're a cop you're expected to act and behave to a certiain standard. I put that same standard on soldiers and politicians.

That cop should have been smarter. They know what kind of position they hold and their duties and obviously should watch what they say on twitter, or else they'd receive some sort of backlash. I love twitter for things like this, because I find it hilarious.

This reminds me of a sports news caster who got fired for tweeting something regarding gay marriage.

Eh let him tweet. He should be responsible for his actions, he has the right to say what he wants, but should also keep in mind he's a public servent and be mindful of his comments.

Freedom of speech protects one in the public sphere... not the professional/private one. If an organization feels your comments are negative and reflect poorly on the company image, prepare to get fired.foxhound_fox

When will people realize that having freedom of speech does not mean having freedom from consequences of your speech?

He's a cop. It's a part of the job to present an upstanding image that supports the people.

I'm not sure how things work in America but racists aren't allowed in the police.

As long as we keep telling ourselves we are free, I think any uncultivated mongrel has the right to voice his embarassingly juvenile opinion on whichever platform he sees fit, as long as it doesn't cross borders where it descends into violence or harassment. As a representative of a theoretically independent organ, though, (let alone one that is financed by the government), you have a certain responsibility of not making a complete fool of yourself in public, as it might undermine your position.

So yes, he's over the line.

I'm not sure how things work in America but racists aren't allowed in the police.

toast_burner

How is he being a racist, though?

I lol'd at the pistol whip comment, but other then that he can say whatever the hell he wants, but doesn't mean there won't be consequences if he keeps blabbing like that.

Well he cartainly has the right to say those things, so I could never support any charges being bought against him

But he is sworn to uphold the law and protect the community. When he holds such ideas, and seems to feel so strongly about them, I am worried about his ability to keep a level head when dealing with a situation, especially one that involves a muslim. So I could see him losing his job.

From local paper: "I put this [referencing the Obama pic] on FB as it needs to be seen. Boss ordered me to remove it or be fired. Love wrkin 4 a Dem." "I told him to kissmy*** and it's still there! Love workin for the guvment! See if I have a job on monday." Does this guy honestly think there are no consequences for his actions? :?Maniacc1

And when he does get fired (and he will), it will be because of the Obama conspiracy.