A Florida police officer who was still on probation was fired earlier this month after a citizen reported him for posting what have been characterized as politically charged and racist content on social media.
The Kissimmee Police Department says it verified 30 screenshots of Facebook posts made by Officer Andrew Johnson in support of Capitol riots and Trump and disparaging the Black Lives Matter movement.
In apparent response to the riot at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, Johnson allegedly wrote: “The silent majority will rise!! Day one of the Revolutionary War!! Hang on, it’s only just begun."
He was relieved of duty Jan. 12 and terminated Jan. 14, according to Samantha Scarp, a public information officer with the department.
"The posts he made do not align with our core values here," Scarp told NBC.
A letter from Kissimmee Chief of Police Jeffrey O'Dell informed Johnson that since he was a probationary officer, he wouldn't be entitled to appeal his termination. Scarp said officers’ probationary period is one year, and Johnson had started working at the department in March.
