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Detroit Police Chief James Craig tells reporters July 11, 2016, about the demotion of a Detroit Police detective who posted a racist rant on Facebook.(Photo: Katrease Stafford. Detroit Free Press)
DETROIT —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>A Detroit Police Department detective was demoted and an internal investigation launched after his Facebook post earlier this week deriding the Black Lives Matter movement went viral and drew harsh public criticism.
Chief James Craig identified the detective as Nathan Weekley, the brother of an officer who fatally shot a sleeping black girl during a police raid in 2010.
"I became aware the night of the posting on social media," Craig said Monday. "And once becoming aware of it I notified my team so we could have a discussion. And based on the preliminary discussion assessment of it, Detective Weekley has been de-appointed down from the ranking of detective to police officer and he has been reassigned and we have opened an internal investigation into the matter."
And for the second time in less than a week, a Nashville police officer was asked to hand in his badge and gun after what his superiors considered an inappropriate Facebook post. Officer Christopher Taylor is temporarily off the force after changing his profile image to an iconic 1960s Black Panthers photo of Bobby Seale and Huey Newton holding a Colt .45 and a shotgun.
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Whether Taylor stays a Metropolitan Nashville Police officer will be determined at the end of an internal investigation, according to a statement Monday from the department. Taylor has told investigators that he normally posts bits of historical information especially during Black History Month but that he has taken down the Black Panthers photo.
The department did not release Taylor's race.
“We are aware that he posted and he has since removed the post, and we recognize that it is still trending. We are concerned as a organization because it does tend to undermine all of the good work ... we're doing in the community.”
James Craig, Detroit Police
In the Detroit posting, which was made in response to the recent killings of five police officers in Dallas, Weekley called Black Lives Matter members and supporters "terrorists." Weekley could not be immediately reached for comment.
"For the first time in my nearly 17 years as a law enforcement officer, I contemplated calling into work in response to the outrageous act perpetrated against my brothers," Weekley wrote. "It seems like the only response that will demonstrate our importance to society as a whole. The only racists here are the piece of s--t Black Lives Matter terrorists and their supporters."
Craig said although he took "very quick action" in demoting and reassigning Weekley from a special detective assignment, he reiterated that the officer still is<span style="color: Red;">*</span>entitled to a due process and fair investigation.
"We have to let that run," Craig said. "That's by contract and certainly out of fairness. We are aware that he posted and he has since removed the post, and we recognize that it is still trending. We are concerned as a organization because it does tend to undermine all of the good work that I just described that we're doing in the community."
Craig said his department is looking at another questionable social-media post that an African-American<span style="color: Red;">*</span>supervisor within the department made, but he declined to share details about the investigation.
"I'm going to be following up with that with my staff shortly," Craig said. "We're going to treat that the same. Race doesn't matter. Race, gender —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>if you post something that's contrary to our oath of office, we will certainly take decisive and prompt action."
In a letter to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the National Action Network demanded that Weekley be fired and no longer allowed to serve the people of Detroit.
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"This post denigrates the overwhelming majority of Detroit police that serve and protect with honor while placing their lives on the line every hour of every day," wrote Sam Riddle, political director of the Michigan National Action Network. "Mayor Duggan, we have a nation on edge due to a racial divide and the slaughter of black Americans by police that literally get away with murder.
"Detroit, America's blackest and poorest city, cannot afford to have a policeman on duty so filled with hate for the dominant population of Detroit," Riddle wrote.
Craig said he and Duggan are aware of the demands, adding that he had a three-hour meeting with the organization this past weekend before Weekley's post came to light.
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"We have worked so hard and continue to work hard in making sure we have great relationships with everyone here in Detroit," Craig said. "I praised the protesters on Friday. You see the images in the other parts of country where crimes are being committed. In Detroit, folks here respect the law and order. There was not one incident."
Craig said a thorough investigation will be completed and he understands that the public holds police officers to a "much higher standard."
"The public expects us that when we express an opinion that's contrary to the department's mission, that's a problem," Craig said. "We've disciplined others in the past for similar acts. Certainly social media can be a friend, but if you want to inject personal opinions then you'll face prompt action."
Contributing: Ariana Sawyer, The Tennessean. Follow Katrease Stafford on Twitter:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>@KatreaseS_freep
Please note unedited<span style="color: Red;">*</span>contents of captured tweet below.
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