A post on the Facebook account of a Baltimore County 911 call center employee suggesting that "thugs" are more trustworthy than "any policeman" drew concern from county officials and a call for her ouster by police union officials.
A screen image of the Facebook post circulated widely on social media Monday. In the post, the author states that a child killed by police "lays in the street like a dog," while officers who die in the line of duty have "funeral services that look like the Macy's parade!!"
Baltimore County spokeswoman Ellen Kobler declined to name the employee or confirm the employee made the post, but said a woman by the name on the Facebook account has been employed for eight years as a 911 call-taker.
The job of 911 call-taker does not involve direct contact with police officers, Kobler said. The employee could not be reached by The Baltimore Sun for comment.
After being alerted to the posting, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz issued a statement Monday urging people to discuss police issues in a "positive and productive manner."
The Facebook account no longer exists. Kobler said officials did not request that the employee take the personal account down.
Kamenetz said the Facebook post was made before Saturday's incident in which police say Ismaaiyl Abdula Brinsley shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend in Owings Mills before gunning down two New York City police officers and turning the gun on himself.
County officials would not say whether the employee would be disciplined, citing privacy concerns. But Kamenetz noted in his statement: "Individuals are constitutionally protected by the right to free speech, and that protection does not end when someone chooses to become a county employee."
The county has a social media policy for employees that covers only their use of social media while conducting county business.
Kamenetz's statement also drew criticism online. More than 700 comments were made on the county Facebook page within seven hours, many urging Kamenetz to fire the employee. His reaction was called "spineless," "disgraceful," "pathetic," "unacceptable" and a "complete whitewash."
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, which represents county police officers, issued a statement condemning the employee's comments.
"This employee should not be allowed to continue in a position where she could jeopardize the safety of our police officers with her clear and now public views on law enforcement," the FOP wrote.
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