A Detroit cop who was suspended over a controversial social media post was fired this past weekend, The Detroit News reports.
Sean Bostwick, 27, posted a picture of himself on Snapchat Saturday wearing his police uniform with the caption, “Another night to Rangel up these zoo animals.”
“He was terminated,” Police Chief James Craig said Monday at a news conference. “This is his last day on our payroll. Tomorrow, he will no longer be a Detroit police officer. He is clear on that.”
Craig said he had received dozens of phone calls from cops, community leaders and city officials over Bostwick’s post.
Detroit Police officer Sean Bostwick posted this on his social media. He was suspended from the job Sunday. He needs to be fired. Your top cop is black, you patrol a predominantly black neighborhood, in a city that is almost 85% black. Can’t have this on our force. pic.twitter.com/8W8SC4yyLn
— Detroit Griot (@JustCallmeBHunt) September 24, 2018
“This is not reflective of this department,” he said. “We expect a high level of professionalism when we’re serving the public.”
The chief said that the post was taken down immediately and that Bostwick had some regret during their meeting Monday.
“He took responsibility for it. He admitted that he did this. He said he didn’t mean it the way it came off,” Craig said.
Bostwick was a rookie on the force, having left the police academy two months ago and was on probation, which made his firing easier, according to the police chief.
Craig also had a message other police departments about hiring Bostwick.
“I think any department that hires him will be concerned about this post,” he said. “I don’t think any city would want to take a chance or risk, but that’s between him and a potential employer.”
