Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore spoke publicly about the investigation into a hateful meme mocking the death of George Floyd, allegedly posted online by an LAPD officer.
The LAPD has not yet identified the officer who allegedly shared a racist post of George Floyd on social media. Moore told reporters during a virtual briefing the investigation is still in its infancy.
The meme was described to KNX 1070 News as a photo of Floyd in a Valentine’s Day theme, with the words, you take my breath away.
"I think we are very early in it. My effort is to come to terms quickly but also in a manner that is reflective of a thorough and complete investigation," Moore says. "We will go back to try to trace down who actually started this, who is agent 0 so to speak. My efforts is that, if it is a member of the Los Angeles Police Department, is to take disciplinary action. I don't have any temperament or patience or allowance for them to remain in this organization with such a tendency or such a racist act."
Moore said there are no physical copies in any of the police stations. Now, investigators are retracing the post, which was reportedly shared in a private social media group. Moore also said they don’t know how many others with the LAPD may have shared or liked the post.
Floyd was killed by several white Minneapolis police officers last May after officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for eight minutes as he repeatedly cried for help and told them, “I can’t breathe.”
Chief Moore said he was disgusted by the officer’s actions and now the City Attorney, Los Angeles County District Attorney and the Los Angeles Police Protective league are all echoing the Chief’s sentiments that the officer responsible should be fired.
“Our investigation is to determine the accuracy of the allegations while also reinforcing our zero-tolerance for anything with racist views,” the chief said according to the Los Angeles Times.
Moore is holding a press briefing at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League issued this statement in response to the Department's investigation:
"The Los Angeles Police Protective League repudiates this abhorrent image and anyone associated with its creation, dissemination, or passive observation of it. If that image was created, "liked," or shared by a member of the LAPD, the Chief of Police must act swiftly to hold those individuals accountable. There must be zero tolerance for this behavior in our profession, and any police officer who feels the need to be part of any online group that engages in, promotes, and/or celebrates this type of activity should quickly rethink their career choice because they clearly don't have the judgment, nor temperament, to be a member of law enforcement."
Board of Directors, Los Angeles Police Protective League