US Election 2020: Miami Police officer wears Trump mask in uniform, faces suspension

A Miami police officer may face suspension after he was photographed sporting a masks selling president Donald Trump inside an early voting web site whereas sporting his uniform.

Miami-Dade County Democratic Chairman Steve Simeonidis tweeted Tuesday a photograph of the officer, saying it was taken inside a polling place on the county authorities middle. It reveals the officer sporting a blue, white and crimson Trump 2020 masks containing a phrase with a curse phrase.

“This is city funded voter intimidation,” Simeonidis tweeted, calling for the officer’s suspension.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez held a press convention Tuesday to handle the scenario. He stated the officer was in line to vote, and the masks violated division and polling place coverage as a result of it promoted a politician. He stated the officer can be disciplined and stated a suspension was a risk.

“There were people claiming it was voter intimidation,” Suarez stated. “Officers have a responsibility … to protect our residents and they have to do that in an impartial manner and they can’t be making political statements or making political stances while they are wearing a uniform.”

Suarez stated officers are allowed to vote whereas in uniform.

“Had he not been voting it would have been a much more serious situation,” the mayor added.

Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina issued a press release Tuesday calling the habits “unacceptable” and a violation of departmental coverage. He stated the motion was being “addressed immediately.”

It was unknown whether or not the officer was on responsibility on the time, Suarez stated.

Tommy Reyes, president of the officer’s union, stated in a press release that cops have free-speech rights underneath the U.S. Constitution, and state regulation permits officers to vote in uniform. Reyes additionally identified that the union, Fraternal Order of Police, has endorsed Trump’s re-election bid on the nationwide degree.