Police in Virginia have launched an investigation after a propped-up figure was found in the passenger seat of a patrol car, wearing a pig mask and a T-shirt emblazoned with the words, "I can't breathe."
The incident was revealed in a YouTube video uploaded by ALX Accountability, a group that records interactions with government agencies in Alexandria.
"I can't breathe" were the final words spoken by Eric Garner and George Floyd, two Black men who were killed by police officers. The phrase later became a slogan of the Black Lives Matter movement, protesting police brutality across the country.
While the video does not show the officer who was driving the cruiser, another officer in a separate vehicle arrived to see what was going on. The officer peeked into the vehicle and asked if the citizen was filing a report.
"Do you agree it's inappropriate?" asked the unidentified man filming the video.
"I'm not agreeing to anything," said the officer, who identified himself as Sgt. Ground. "What I'll do is I'll find out whose cruiser it is and I'll take care of it, if that's what you're asking."
Later in the video, Ground is seen removing the items from the cruiser.
The Alexandria Police Department confirmed that "potentially offensive materials" were found in a patrol car. It's not clear, however, who put the items inside the vehicle or their intended message.
A joint statement released by Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon and Police Chief Don Hayes seems to indicate a city employee might be to blame, as it mentions "personnel accountability" procedures.
"We recognize the importance of maintaining public trust and will continue to ensure our conduct, collectively and as individual employees, is reflective of our commitment to serve all Alexandrian," the statement said. "The Department has initiated an investigation of this isolated incident and will respond in accordance with personnel accountability procedures."
An investigation is ongoing.
The Alexandria branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called the incident "disturbing."
"Spotted in the historically Black neighborhood of Parker-Gray, the controversial in question was allegedly in plain view for anyone walking on the busy sidewalk to see," the branch said in a statement. "What is relevant now is discovering whether a toxic environment now exists within the Police Department, which would allow an officer to feel comfortable making a public mockery of victims of police brutality."
The branch called on city leaders to make sure the matter "is not swept under the rug and easily forgotten."
"We deserve answers, but more importantly we demand accountability and transparency," the statement said.