An officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety who made anti-Islamic posts on a public Facebook account has resigned.
According to a press release, the post came on Sept. 11, and as of Sept. 13, that officer is no longer on duty. The name of the officer is not being released, says Police Chief James McMillen, but he did add that the incident started in the comment section of a post by the City of Sikeston about 9/11.
“We certainly understand how members of the community could be offended by that and concerned, which was our same concern,” McMillen said.
After the officer replied the conversation escalated from there, and the complainant called the police department about the situation.
McMillen says he believes the officer made the right decision and says its expected of officers to remained unbiased as representatives of the city.
“You are a public figure whether you’re on- or off-duty,” McMillen said. “And we want officers to understand that.”
On Sept. 12, he told department officials he would be resigning and turned in equipment early today. The press release says the complainant has been informed about the situation, and the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training are going to be notified about the case. Chief James McMillen says in the release the officer released what he had done wrong. McMillen adds-quote- “we have a professional department with the highest of standards.”