911 Dispatcher's Social Media Post Causes Controversy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ---It's a fight for freedom of speech in Baltimore County. A 911 dispatcher vents on Facebook making what some call anti-police comments. Now, there are growing calls to fire her.
Christie Ileto has both sides of the controversy.
The dispatcher has been in that position for almost eight years, but the big question being raised is will her opinions impact her ability to do her job.
It was her personal Facebook account, but a screen shot of her fiery posting went viral.
This Baltimore County 911 dispatcher implied her son is safer being approached by thugs than cops.
"To have someone who has this attitude towards police in that position causes a lot of concern,"attorney Michael Marshall said.
This comes against a backdrop of national protests of police brutality.
"The Fraternal Order of Police is not calling for her resignation, but just find another spot for her. You have to be able to work with the police," Marshall said.
Thousands are calling for the dispatcher identified online as Kelli Murray to be fired.
"She was just expressing herself and for this to transpire," Dayvon Love said.
Love is with the leaders of a beautiful struggle and is Murray's friend.
He said her week's old posting followed the fallout in Ferguson.
"A lot of people are saying her remarks are anti-law enforcement, do you consider them to be?" Ileto said.
"Not at all," Love said. "The idea that call for justice means your anti the institution itself... it flies in the face of what it actually means to protect and serve."
County executive Kevin Kamenetz said, "individuals are protected by the right to free speech, protection that doesn't end when someone becomes a county employee."
"She probably should have used a bit of discretion," Baltimore resident, Troy Hoopers said. "These are the people that she has to work in tandem with in order to serve the community."
But hindsight is 20-20."
Murray's Facebook page has since been taken down.
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