Much like the Boys Scouts, who had to apologize and distance themselves from Donald Trump after the president gave a bizarre speech to them this week, the Suffolk County Police Department has come out against Trump’s talk on Friday.
During a speech in front of law enforcement officers on Long Island, Trump seemed to promote the idea that police brutality was actually a positive trait and said officers didn’t have to be “too nice” when dealing with crime suspects.
President urges officers to commit acts of brutality, officers laugh and cheer wildly. Beginning to think problem isn’t a few bad apples. pic.twitter.com/o1sSgw6lGy
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) July 28, 2017
Though Trump’s comments were met by applause and laughter by some of the officers sitting behind him, the Suffolk County police department didn’t think Trump’s words were funny.
The SCPD has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously.
— Suffolk County Police Department (@SCPDHq) July 28, 2017
As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners.
— Suffolk County Police Department (@SCPDHq) July 28, 2017
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also pushed back hard against Trump’s rhetoric.
“President Trump’s visit to Suffolk County is a cynical ploy to capitalize on recent headlines, cast aspersions on entire communities and push his anti-immigrant agenda,” New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement. “Trump’s vile rhetoric and cruel deportation machine mean that vulnerable immigrants must fear both gangs and the government at once.”
H/T the Hill
