Metro-Detroit Area Police Chief Suspended Over Anti-Protest Posts
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Shelby Township's police chief has been put on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation into social media posts in which he allegedly called for "body bags" for those protesting the death of George Floyd.
Shelby Township trustees put Robert J. Shelide on indefinite paid administrative leave. The township's attorney, Robert Huth, explained that suspension with pay is proper during a pending investigation because all township workers are afforded the same right to due process "and enjoy a presumption of innocence."
The posts were made on a now deleted Twitter account. Screenshots posted on Facebook show that one tweet read "Unleash real cops and let them take care of these barbarians." Another read "Wild savages. I wish to God I would have been there. Body bags for these vicious subhumans."
Shelide, who has been Shelby Township's police chief since 2015, released a statement Thursday in which he apologized.
"While an apology is insufficient and an insult to the gravity of my comments, I humbly and respectfully ask for the courtesy of forgiveness to those I have offended, to my department and more importantly to those I am sworn to serve," he wrote.
Shelide could not be reached for comment. His secretary referred The Detroit News to Brad Bates, the township's director of communications, who did not reply to several voicemails.