2015/10/24
Almost a year after outrage that Phillip White’s prejudiced tweets created across the nation, the San Jose police Department has decided to fire the 20-year veteran cop.
In December last year he wrote provoking messages on Twitter in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. In fact, some of his words were perceived as vicious intimidation to those supporting the movement.
White was a respected member of the force and was involved in youth outreach initiatives, especially anti-gang programs.
A statement issued by the department last week said that White was no longer on the payroll of the city of San Jose. No other information was offered by the authorities owing to privacy laws.
The tweets
In December last year White made a series of seditious comments on Twitter.
In an unashamed act of provocation white responded to the Black Lives Matter campaign’s hashtag with several tweets that had the handle #CopsLivesMatter.
One of his most infamous pose on the social media site read: “Threaten me or my family and I will use my God given and law appointed right and duty to kill you. #CopsLivesMatter”.
In an unsympathetic reference to a case of police brutality against a teenager named Eric Garner in July 2014, he tweeted – “By the way if anyone feels they can’t breathe or their lives matter I’ll be at the movies tonight, off duty, carrying my gun.”
Garner had died after being choked by an NYPD police officer and his last words were “I can’t breathe”.
The police department, union, leaders and local advocacy groups all expressed disapproval of his distasteful tweets, especially after the Black Lives Matter campaign started gaining traction within the community.
The movement began as a result of the police’s notorious use of lethal force on an armed black man in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island.
Following his troublesome comments, community groups carried out a rather substantial protest in front of the San Jose police headquarters.
Menlo College, where he worked as an assistant basketball coach, was also prompt in severing their connection with him.
When his posts on Twitter went viral, the police department made a swift decision to place him on paid administrative leave. An internal affairs enquiry also commenced, which ended recently with the call to fire him.
Several of his colleagues were surprised that the ex-officer had such a disregard towards the movement. According to them, it did not match his personality.
At first the Santa Clara district attorney’s office decided not to file any charges because White’s threats were not directed toward someone specific.
However, even so legal specialists had argued that despite being covered by the free speech protections – the department could let go of him if they could establish that his remarks would reduce his success as a police officer must have trust of the community at all times.
The department’s latest decision to discharge the officer is being welcomed by the community.
Walter Wilson is a campaigner and board member of the San Jose’s African-American community service agency.
He believes the dismissal is a step in the right direction.
“You can’t be in a position of authority making these statements in a public forum. It erodes the trust of the public in law enforcement,” he commented.