A Miami police officer could face suspension after he was photographed wearing a mask promoting President Donald Trump inside an early voting site while wearing his uniform.
Miami-Dade County Democratic Chairman Steve Simeonidis tweeted Tuesday a photo of the officer, saying it was taken inside a polling place at the county government centre. It shows the officer wearing a blue, white and red Trump 2020 mask containing a phrase with a curse word.
"This is city funded voter intimidation," Simeonidis tweeted, calling for the officer's suspension.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez held a press conference Tuesday to address the situation. He said the officer was in line to vote, and the mask violated department and polling place policy because it promoted a political candidate. He said the officer would be disciplined and said a suspension was a possibility.
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"There were people claiming it was voter intimidation," Suarez said. "Officers have a responsibility … to protect our residents and they have to do that in an impartial manner and they can't be making political statements or making political stances while they are wearing a uniform."
Suarez said officers are allowed to vote while in uniform.
"Had he not been voting it would have been a much more serious situation," the mayor added.
Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina issued a statement Tuesday calling the behavior "unacceptable" and a violation of departmental policy. He said the action was being "addressed immediately." It was unknown whether the officer was on duty at the time, Suarez said.
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The Miami police union did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
