Former Surf City, NC Police Chief Mike Halstead
According to WECT Channel 6, Chief Mike Halstead wrote that BLM is "nothing more than an American born terrorist group" that was "brought on by the government, the President and his cronies Al Sharpton, who is a criminal tax evader (but has the support of our so called President), Jessi Jackson, Eric Holder and that ignorant S.O.B. Farrakhan who should be charged with solicitation for murder."
Surf City Mayor Zander Guy called Tuesday's emergency meeting after Halstead posted the densely-typed, erratically punctuated and spelled screed to Facebook on Sep. 3.
Halstead, like many people who watch Fox News, is laboring under the false impression that there is a "War on Cops" happening in the U.S. because Black Lives Matter and other activists have spoken up over the last several months about police slayings of unarmed black civilians.
In fact, violence against police officers is on the decline, with 2014 being the safest year in decades for American cops and 2015 is shaping up to be the same.
"I have been a Police Officer for 35 years. I do not judge anyone by the color of their skin, but by there actions," wrote Halstead. "A criminal is a criminal whether a police officer or any other profession. I will not state statistics because black lives matter do not care or believe proven statistics."
"When a black thug is killed by the police they are all over it as is Mr. Barack Obama," he said. "However when a police officer white, black or any race is murdered for doing his job the media is short with it's reporting or not at all. When a white person is killed by a black officer you hear nothing. Has our so called President spoke publicly about these murders of police officers by blacks, HELL NO he has not."
He went on to say that he has literally instructed his officers to shoot first and ask questions later.
"I have instructed my officers to be vigilant, if threatened take appropriate action. If that means shoot a thug, then do it and answer for it while you are still alive not dead," he wrote. "Law Enforcement is fed up with this murderous society who want to take out those who protect and serve."
Town Manager Larry Bergman said that Halstead has broken police department rules regarding social media.
"He put that information out, that was intended for his friends and colleagues and peers, but it was a public statement and there are people that were offended," said Bergman.
After the meeting, Halstead posted another note online that said, "I want to thank you all for your support. I was forced to retire or be terminated. I had to beg for a 60 day severance to feed my family. That was the thanks I got from those I thought were family, I was thrown under the bus for expressing my 1st amendment rights and speaking the truth and concerns for law enforcement."
Comment: The first amendment argument is often used by people who have found that what they say may cost them their jobs or other repercussions. No one took away Mike Halstead's right to free speech. What people like him should understand is that free speech does not mean that people can say whatever they want whenever they want without penalty. He has the right to say what he wants, and his employer has the right to choose not to be associated with his words. Most people understand that fact.
He concluded, "I have served proudly for 35 years without a blemish. I guess to some Surf City Leaders that has no meaning. I guess I will learn to eat beanie wienies for a few months. I love you all."
Isn't it quite subjective in how one defines a 'thug'? Isn't this the problem? The people are starting to define cops as 'thugs', thus by analogy, is this Police Chief telling the public to act the same when they encounter troublesome badge wearers?