LAPD Officials Allegedly Shared Offensive Valentine-Style George Floyd Photo

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The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation after it was alleged that an offensive photo of George Floyd has circulated around their offices.

Over the weekend on Twitter, the LAPD announced they are reviewing the allegations, which were brought up by a department member.

According to TMZ on Sunday, the alleged image consists of a picture of George Floyd with the caption, “You Take My Breath Away,” mocking how the Minneapolis native’s neck was pinned down by white police officer Derek Chauvin prior to his May 25, 2020, death.

Fox 5 adds on Monday that the photo and caption were in a Valentine’s Day style.

According to an email posted to Twitter Saturday by journalist Jasmyne Cannick, the alleged photo and a possible post on social media may have originated out of the department’s Harbor Patrol Division.

“I just received word through the chain of command of a complaint that was generated on an inappropriate online post from a Department member,” Captain Jay Mastick of the Harbor Patrol Division wrote in the email posted by Cannick. “The post depicts a photo of George Floyd, with a caption, ‘you take my breath away’ in a valentine format.”

“[LAPD Chief Michel Moore] was disgusted by the post and directed that a Department complaint be generated,” Mastick continued, adding, “Messages with inappropriate content may also result in discipline. I ask that you maintain your professionalism and use judicious restraint while posting online because it will ultimately reflect on you and your position with the Department.”

Moore told the Los Angeles Times that the complaining officer is scheduled to be interviewed Monday.

As they wrote on Saturday, the LAPD has not confirmed an actual posting of the alleged photo, nor have they confirmed that one of their employees created it.

Regardless, they “will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”