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Michigan police official under fire for sharing FB post calling some NFL players 'degenerates'

Posted at 8:15 AM, Sep 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-29 12:22:17-04

Michigan State Police Director Kriste Etue is under investigation by the department over a Facebook post where she called NFL players kneeling for the national anthem "degenerates."

The department said the investigation stems from the possible violation of the social media policy.

Rev. Charles E. Williams II, president of the Michigan NAN, said Etue is unfit for the position.

“Colonel Etue should resign immediately because she is unfit to lead the MSP in a state that has such a significant African American population," he said in a release."

Gov. Rick Snyder said he would not ask her to resign over her protest remarks, but both Mayor Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans released this statement.

“Leadership begins with respect. And there's nothing more important than respecting the constitutional rights of our citizens. State Police Col. Kriste Etue's recent Facebook post shows a lack of respect for the people she serves and the post she holds.

Effective law enforcement is based on trust, mutual respect and the principle that the police will protect the rights of everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe.

So, when the head of the Michigan State Police posts a message demeaning citizens for exercising rights guaranteed them by the constitution, it damages the credibility of a department charged with protecting those rights.

Gov. Snyder should treat this as the serious breach of trust that it is and take the steps necessary to make sure that this type of disrespect from our state’s law enforcement leadership will not be tolerated.”