Md. Officer Suspended After 'Oath Keepers' Hat Found In Cruiser Window
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)--An Anne Arundel County police officer is suspended after a resident spots a controversial logo in the cruiser's back window.
Gillian Thompson was grabbing lunch in Annapolis, Maryland when she spotted a hat supporting the controversial anti-government group Oath Keepers.
She snapped the photo and called police.
"It kind of shocked me to my core because I didn't expect to see anything like that in Anne Arundel County," said Gillian Thompson
Now that officer is under investigation.
"Police officers are not allowed to espouse political ideology when they're representing themselves as police officers," said Chief Timothy Altomare, with the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
The Oath Keepers is a controversial--sometimes hostile--fringe group that aims to preserve the constitution.
They are noted for involvement in the Ferguson riots and the occupation of a National Widlife Refuge in Oregon in support of the Bundy family.
Thompson, who is a mother of four biracial children has her worries.
"If a police officer is upholding an oath to the oath keepers is that above his oath of office as a police officer?" said Thompson. "Is he going to help me just the same as he would help someone else?"
Chief Altomare is now hoping that controversial logo doesn't put doubt in his officers.
"Good lord, it's 2016. Every one of my cops should know better," Altomare said.
The officer in question is being paid while he's suspended from the force.
Police have not taken any disciplinary action against the officer, but mentioned further training may be an option.
