(WWJ) The City of Sterling Heights says an officer at the center of some recently controversy has voluntarily quit his job with the police department.
Last week, the city said an officer with the Sterling Heights Police Department had unpaid administrative leave while officials were investigating a "disturbing" and "abhorrent" image posted to his private Facebook page.
The city said, at the time, "It must be clear that there is no place for hateful and offensive content like that within our community. It does a grave disservice to the City, the dedicated men and women of the Police Department who protect and serve each and every Sterling Heights resident and business, and all those who call it home."
On Monday, the city issued an update on the case, saying that — during the course of the police department’s internal investigation, and prior to disciplinary action — the police officer in question resigned.
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This incident is confirmation that the city must remain vigilant in identifying and rooting out such behavior, which has no place in a municipal organization that serves an incredibly diverse population," city officials added, in a statement. "This incident further shows the City’s commitment to making sure each and every resident, business owner, and visitor feels welcome and safe in Sterling Heights. This objective is integral to realizing the city’s vision for Sterling Heights as a community that is vibrant, inclusive, and distinctive.”
While the city did not offer details as what the post was about, a report by WXYZ-TV said it showed a photo of George Floyd preceding his death, with a Minneapolis police officer with his knee on his neck, along with the caption: "When you gotta change a tire but don’t wanna get your trousers dirty.”
The city did not release the officers name, and said no further information would be provided.
Floyd became an icon of the Black Lives Matter movement, setting off protests in Detroit and nationwide after he died on Memorial Day of 2020, gasping for air while repeating, "I can't breathe." Floyd was being arrested for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill.
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