A white Detroit Police officer was terminated after his Snapchat post comparing people to zoo animals went viral on social bringing unwanted attention to the department.
Sean Bostwick, 27, reportedly posted a Snapchat photo captioned with "another night to Rangel [sic] up these zoo animals" Saturday leading to his suspension from the force.
The officer took the photo while in uniform and presumably on duty. According to the Detroit News, the rookie cop was fired by Monday morning.
"He was terminated," Police Chief James Craig said in a news conference at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters downtown while joined by members of the police department's command staff. "This is his last day on our payroll. Tomorrow, he will no longer be a Detroit police officer. He is clear on that."
Bostwick has only been on the force for about 18 months but out in the field for two months because of dismal test scores, reports Metro News. He was assigned to the 12th precinct for this very reason. Calls from other officers, city officials and community leaders prompted Craig to make his decision.
Upon discovery of the post, the rookie officer, accompanied by a union representative, spoke to Craig about the post and "took responsibility for it," Craig said.
"He admitted that he did this. He said he didn't mean it the way it came off," he added.
Community activist and spokesperson for Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality Kenneth Reed expressed concern about the department's initial decision to suspend Bostwick stating the move was not enough.
"If you call someone an animal, you will treat them like one. That is unacceptable for one who is called to protect and serve," Reed said in the press statement.
If Bostwick was a tenured officer, firing him would have been far more difficult, Craig admits. The probationary period and the viralcy of the image also influenced Craig's swift decision making.
"I think any department that hires him will be concerned about this post," Craig said. "I don't think any city would want to take a chance or risk, but that's between him and a potential employer."
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