catron

 

A Kansas City Police Department officer is facing an internal review after venting about the Michael Brown shooting on Facebook.

Officer Marc Catron’s postings have garnered outrage on social media, due to his strong comments about Brown, who was fatally wounded by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. 

From KCTV 5:

 He shared a picture that he and others have claimed is Brown in a compromising position, but it’s actually an accused killer from Oregon. A spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department said this is a personnel issue that will be addressed with the officer. The department also provided a copy of the department’s eight-page social media policy.

“Because members of this department are held to a higher standard than general members of the public, the online activities of members of this department shall reflect such professional expectations and standards,” the department policy states.

Two cousins were accused in Oregon of using a sledge hammer to kill their great-grandmother last year. In one of the photos, Joda Cain has a wad of money stuffed in his mouth while pointing a gun at the camera.

People have posted this photo of Cain to Facebook, including KCTV5’s Facebook page, claiming that it’s Brown, when it’s not. Catron posted the photo of Cain to his Facebook page and wrote, “I’m sure young Michael Brown is innocent and just misunderstood. I’m sure he is a pillar of the Ferguson community.”

Read more at KCTV 5

Catron also posted comments about the violence and protests that has rocked Ferguson over the past week since Brown’s death.

Catron also spoke about the violence that has rocked Ferguson over the past week since a police officer shot the unarmed teen. “Remember how white people rioted after OJ’s acquittal? Me neither,” according to a Facebook post that Catron shared on his own Facebook page.

According to the police department’s social media page, “employees are free to express  their thoughts as private citizens on social media sites but their speech should not ‘negatively affect the public or professional perception of the department.”

The department’s policy also states taht officers should not post images or make comments that “ridicule, malign, disparage or otherwise express bias against any race, any religion or other protected class of individuals.”

The department declined additional comment to KCTV 5, saying it’s a personnel issue.

What’s an appropriate choice of action for Catron’s conduct?

Sound off below!