NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Police Department launched an investigation Saturday into a video that shows an officer with patches in support of former President Donald Trump pinned to the front of her uniform, which is against departmental policy.
The video, reportedly filmed Friday night during an anti-police protest in Brooklyn, shows the officer standing in a line of police as demonstrators heckle her for wearing the patches. One of the patches reads, “Trump, Make Enforcement Great Again,” the video shows.
Warning: The tweet below contains language that some may find offensive.
NYPD Sergeant Dana M. Martillo seen having Trump patches on her vest last night...anything political on the uniform is against department policy and also a terrible mask wearer
— Icculus The Brave (@FirenzeMike) February 6, 2021
Care to comment @NYPDShea @NYPDDetectives @NYPDChiefofDept @NYPDnews @NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/5k9H0FKKoo
The officer was also filmed with her mask below her nose. At one point, she pulls her mask down and blows a kiss to someone taking her photo, the video shows.
The NYPD said in a statement on Saturday it is aware of the video and the officer was disciplined. No further information was given regarding the nature of the discipline.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea retweeted the NYPD's statement, adding: "Members of the NYPD must remain apolitical — it’s essential to public trust [and] officers' ability to perform their jobs."
We are aware of a video showing one of our members wearing a politically oriented patch.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 6, 2021
The officer has already received an initial discipline.
A further investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/t6nZlvFPl5
It’s against NYPD policy for officers to wear anything political on their uniform or to make political statements while on-duty and representing the department.
An NYPD officer was suspended without pay in October after he was caught on video using the bullhorn in his marked police vehicle to shout "Trump 2020."
At the time, Shea said the incident was "[100%] unacceptable. Period."
"Law enforcement must remain apolitical, it is essential in our role to serve ALL New Yorkers regardless of any political beliefs," Shea said in October. "It is essential for New Yorkers to trust their police."
This story was originally published by Lauren Cook at WPIX.
