I recently became aware of a disturbing photograph of a social media post that was made by a former officer of the Gloucester Township Police Department on the former officer’s personal social media account. The comment that I observed was racially offensive, reprehensible and disgusting. I was further angered that the former officer still identified as a “Patrolman at Gloucester Township Police,” even though the former officer was separated from service with the Gloucester Township Police Department over 4 years ago, on April 1, 2016.
I am disgusted by the former officer’s comments. The community needs to know that this type of conduct would never be tolerated by me or anyone else here at the Gloucester Township Police Department. The men and women that I work with are good and noble public servants who go out day in and day out to serve our community with integrity and honor. We would ask that we not be judged by the actions of one former officer who made statements on the former officer’s personal social media account.
I want to thank all of those who took the time to inform us of this despicable social media post, and who allowed me to address it. The members of the Gloucester Township Police Department know that our community expects us to live up to our principles of “Courage, Honesty, Respect, Fairness, Integrity, and Compassion.” These are not just words for us, this is who we are.
For more information about the Gloucester Township Police Department, go to www.gtpolice.com .
Sincerely,
Chief David J. Harkins #122
Gloucester Township Police Department
P. O. Box 8
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Dispatch: 856-228-4500
Office: 856-374-3539
Fax: 856-374-3509
Email: chief@gtpolice.com
Website: www.gtpolice.com
FBI NA #247
