pic.twitter.com/4gpFQ7u1el. Some support has come from extremist corners. In another video posted on his Instagram account on May 11, Anderson said he was getting pressure from command staff to take down the earlier video. Its contradictory to everything our country stands for. I personally told this to Greg and told him that I would support his right to talk about these issues as long as he did so while not claiming any affiliation to our police department, Covey said in the statement. Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then. We are team Checkmat out of Lake Stevens, WA. Greg Anderson is a military special forces veteran and police officer with the Port of Seattle Police Department in Washington who was placed on administrative leave after he recorded a. Is he? Also, when things are going wrong, we should be You only see SPD when your car gets rear-ended or your house gets broken into. I had received a message from command saying, Wow Greg, what a powerful message. In a statement posted on the Port of Seattle Police Departments website, Covey said Anderson was on leave for violating the departments policy on the use of social media. I seem to be walking both sides of the fence here, so let me clarify: I agree with Andersons general beliefs. If you continue to see this He was appointed as an Assistant Chief of Police in 2007, where he led both the Patrol Division and the Investigations Division, respectively. Department and is on administrative leave pending an investigation. A Port of Seattle police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after posting a video online last week telling fellow officers they shouldn't enforce coronavirus-related. (206) 787-4722 - Social Media Response Line. Ive yet to speak with a police officer who looks forward to enforcing social distancing rules and documenting/citing mask violators. questo messaggio, invia un'email all'indirizzo After 45 years in the policing profession while leading and mentoring thousands of employees in the sworn and civilian ranks, it is heartbreaking and devastating to have my career end in this manner., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. At least youll be able to look yourself in the mirror at night.. Anderson says he was informed by the department and his union that the reason for termination was due to insubordination for refusing to take down his Instagram video. So, he was put on administrative leave pending dismissal. Many officers out there are trampling on peoples liberties. But itd be a longer leap to go after his job, which his chief obviously doesnt want to do. These agreements provided critical tools for public safety at the airport. There is a GoFundMe to support Officer Andersons retention of a lawyer, you can give money right here. From his post on Facebook, he seems like an honorable man and police officer. SEATAC, Wash. Port of Seattle police Officer Greg Anderson may now be losing support from his fellow officers as he continue battling to hang on to his job after refusing to take down. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Good for him. OPA's investigation concluded that the two officers who fired the shots violated . However, he is not allowed to do so while on duty, wearing our uniform, wearing our badge and while driving our patrol car. He refused on the very same grounds that he passionately articulated in his first video: right is right, and the Constitution trumps non-legislated laws decreed by one elected official. enva un correo electrnico a This is what I am seeing, First Amendment rights. They are going to be put in a position where they wont have their rights trampled anymore, and us as law enforcement officers, we will have our ability to enforce the law stripped from us in about 10 minutes. I have three little kids, I have this house, I have another house, said Anderson. The officer who filmed this viral video has been reportedly placed on administrative leave pending investigation. He is an experienced cop who cares about his officersprobably to the point that he would give his life for each and every one of them without hesitation. If youre a part of a department or agency that is asking their officers or deputies to impose on peoples rights and infringe on their freedoms, you need to say no.. and if that costs you your job, so be it. My best friend on this earth is an ER physician in New York as we speak. We agree with that 100 percent, well done, and that was a relief for me, said Anderson. Can the benchmarks for returning to freedom from government oppression be moved at the will of that very same person? Read More Police Agency Links If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or, WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, Tacoma woman refusing tuberculosis treatment continues to face arrest, One Seattle business is taking a stand against tipping mania, Be bolder to get light rail done, expert panel tells Sound Transit. We are seeing this more and more and more, and we need to start looking at ourselves as officers and thinking is what I am doing right? Police officers live by rules, orders, laws, and policiesmany that we dont like, even as bosses. Mark Thomas joined the Port of Seattle Police Department in September of 2013 after serving two years as the Chief of the Medina, WA Police Department. Im a police officer and seeing these fucking cops all over the country acting like the Gestapo is making me fucking sick. But if they are legal and they are designed for the betterment of the department and the departments reputation, then they must be abided. Se continui a visualizzare So I figured I should explain. The same chief that respects and likes Officer Anderson. Onze Thanks to the pandemic, we obviously find ourselves in very confusing and unique circumstances. As your elected Sheriff I will always put your constitutional rights above politics or popular opinion.. I want to remind you that regardless of where you stand on the coronavirus, we dont have the authority to do those things to people just because a mayor or a governor tells you otherwise, he says. I was told by both the agency and my union that this will result in termination due to it being an insubordination charge for refusing to take down the video. When he is not busy releasing criminals, Inslee is threatening barbers. Anderson made a video and posted it to social media. Fourth Amendment violations, illegal traffic stops to check for papers. The Seattle Times reports Chief Rod Covey's termination was announced via email on Thursday. says. Greg Anderson is a husband and father who has a family to support. Greg Anderson is a military special forces veteran and police officer with the Port of Seattle Police Department in Washington who was placed on administrative leave after he recorded a viral video urging law enforcement officers to refuse to enforce tyrannical orders against citizens for doing things like going to church, to parks and to their businesses. Every police officer in the country understands that. I believe that preventing business owners to operate their businesses and provide for their families intrudes on our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he wrote, paraphrasing theDeclaration of Independence, which is a separate document from the U.S. Constitution. the American people. I have three little kids, I have this house, I have another house, said Anderson. He also indicates on Instagram that he is married and a Jiu jitsu Blackbelt. He is very into fitness, writing on Instagram a week ago, 46 hours into a 48 hour water fast. If you havent lived in anarchy, if you havent seen combat, things can be stripped from people in a heartbeat, and thats what Im afraid of. And it is a life choice. These men were my colleagues.they were my friends. The lengthy public post stirred strong reactions among voters who supported or denounced it. Chief Rod Covey said Officer Greg Anderson was put on leave for violating the department's policy on the use of social media. Theyre not isolated anymore. I have been placed on administrative leave (still being paid) pending investigation, he wrote. He advocated for officers to defy the direct orders of their chains of command, while in uniform and on duty. Anderson has a solid argument, and its one that I can guarantee is being made by many (if not the majority of) officers in this country right now. He's attracting some interesting support. The video essentially addresses the need for officers to uphold their oath to the Constitution of the United States and resist enforcing tyrannical orders decreed by state governors around the countrydecrees that are unquestionably (outside of very limited circumstances) and completely unconstitutional. I am attempting to raise funds for them as they are going to seek legal representation and to help cover any costs that the unforeseen future brings during this drastic change in their lives. Anderson then reads from the Constitution of the United States. So, obviously, I support him and his video, right? What I'm fundamentally doing every day is being able to help people and I get to help people every day. Si continas recibiendo este mensaje, infrmanos del problema He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Washington University. Port of Seattle Police Chief Rod Covey on Tuesday posted an explanation of the departments response to Andersons video in a Facebook post. Arresting paddle boarders, arresting a man playing catch with his young daughter, prohibiting church services, asking for travel papers! He is clearly a good police officer and an exceptional American. Powered by. I dont care if its your sergeant or chief of police. excuses voor het ongemak. READ NEXT: Man Tried to Crash Train Into Navy Hospital Ship: Feds, Washington Police Officer Greg Anderson on Leave Over Video Opposing COVID-19 Orders, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. The video, in which Anderson is wearing his uniform in what appeared to be his police car, has garnered more than 800,000 views. Required fields are marked *. . Gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and age, these characteristics are all widely representedthroughout the department. He said he comes from a department where he feels the chain of command shares his view. In my case, the one main way that we are different is that I have the responsibility to make sure that all of my officers do what we all signed up to do which is to protect and serve all Americans. Fortney argued the stay-home order, which aims to slow the spread of the coronavirus by barring people from gathering, violates Washingtonians First Amendment rights toreligious exercise and peaceable assembly. per informarci del problema. We need to start looking at ourselves as officers and thinking, Is what Im doing right?, He continues: We dont have the authority to do those things to people just because a mayor or governor tells you otherwise. Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Washington University and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Security Studies/Homeland Defense and Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Around 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2021, two Port of Seattle police officers encountered a man, later identified as Hayden, walking with a large butcher knife near Alaskan Way and Seneca Street,. When SPD officers. Read it! Ask yourself are you doing the right thing? "The investigation concluded that Chief Covey violated the Port's Code . The SHIBA program part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions. Anderson made a video and posted it to social media. PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA, 98124-4986 Covey had been on paid administrative leave since June 2020, when the investigation began. Mike Villa, who has been serving as acting chief of police during that time, will continue in the acting role until the Port hires a replacement for Covey, Metruck wrote. And he is rightat least when measuring such government intrusions against the document that is the Bill of Rights. His department the Port of Seattle Police is in the process of termination as the video was deemed a violation of policy. Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, fired the two Seattle police officers who violated the law while attending events in Washington D.C. during the Jan. 6 insurrection. A Washington police officer is on administrative leave after posting a video on social media urging cops not to enforce the states stay-at-home order. Prior to his law enforcement career, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Anderson said he doesnt buy it when people say theyre just following orders or need to keep their job. Adhere to your fucking oath and serve the people. scusiamo se questo pu causarti degli inconvenienti. Greg has always had the ability to express his opinions on what is going on in the country like all other Americans, Covey wrote. Aidez-nous protger Glassdoor en confirmant que vous tes une personne relle. Reactions on social media ranged from people who have called him an idiot and say discipline is warranted to others who applauded his heroism in speaking out and have established donation pages to raise money so he can hire a lawyer. I have seen officers around the country enforcing tyrannical orders; I was hoping it was a minority of officers, anymore, I am not so sure began Officer Andersons video. ", "I was expecting to be judged, to be looked up and down and told 'You want to be a police officer? Anderson said that once his video reached 400,000 views his commanders urged him to pull the plug but he refused. All the officer had to doand still must do to keep his jobis simply remove the video from social media. In 2018, he worked with state and regional law enforcement partners to execute an interlocal agreement that secured Port participation on the Auto Theft Task Force. Welcome to Todd's Final Show on this station! During his six years as a Commander, he oversaw and led the Investigative Services Division, Training, the Valley Regional SWAT Team, and the Patrol Division. While you stand up for Greg this week, please take time to also remember all of the heroes that have given their lives while serving and protecting others. Port of Seattle Police Officer and Special Forces Veteran Greg Anderson made an inspirational video reminding police officers they do not have unlimited powers. (RELATED: Hearse Stolen From California Church, Body Still Inside), Ive received tons of questions regarding my termination from the Port of Seattle Police. I was just looking for change. Mark previously spent 26 years with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) including nine years as a Division and District Commander. He addresses a case in which undercover agents set up a sting to arrest women doing nails in their own houses. What really has been pissing me off lately is the fact that these officers who have been going out here and enforcing these tyrannical orders. She used her official position to tell people to steal rent from the people who own their buildings. I think what is going to happen is were going to see bloodshed in the streets. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Why? Moss, whose suit in King County Superior Court revolved around the Ports alleged refusal to produce documents related to its investigation of his complaint, settled with the Port in February. He then reads the Declaration of Independence and says: Our power and any governmental officials power is derived from the people, okay? #police #liberty #constitution #quarantine @unclesamsmisguidedchildren @eddiebravo10p @cameronrhanes @granderson33, A post shared by Greg Anderson (@granderson33) on May 11, 2020 at 6:15am PDT. I support, in principle, basically everything he said, as well as his right to say it. Officers noted there appeared to be . A Monroe resident filed apetition with the city auditor seeking to recall Fortney,a 23-year veteran sheriffs patrol sergeant who took office in January after defeating incumbent Ty Trenary. If youre retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you! Were here because we know how to handle that You have got to protect everybody's constitutional rights. He has received support from a variety of corners, including average people who want their states to reopen, militia groups and the presidents son. Chief Villa entered law enforcement in 1990 as a police officer with the Tukwila Police Department. This came after serving as Interim Chief since October 2021. petition with the city auditor seeking to recall Fortney. The estimated additional pay is $5,364 per year. Ajude-nos a manter o Glassdoor seguro confirmando que voc uma pessoa de