In the US, a scandal erupted over a presentation to policemen with a meme encouraging violence
Photo: John Rudoff / Reuters
A violence-promoting meme used in a police training presentation sparked an internal investigation at the US Portland Police Bureau. The incident is reported by The Oregonian.
It is clarified that the meme that attracted the attention of the leadership was a parting word, set out in poetic form. “And the Lord said Woe to you, dirty hippie, I will send my obedient servants to you in a hat and with a bat to christen your heads and anoint with pepper spray,” the publication cites part of the text superimposed on top of a picture of a policeman beating a man.
It is currently unknown who placed the meme in the 110-slide presentation.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler responded to the incident. He stated that he was “disgusted that such offensive content was included in the training presentation for the police.” The mayor promised that a thorough investigation into the incident would be carried out.
“I'm sure the hard working Portland Police Bureau officers who saw this for the first time are also outraged by the image and words on this slide and how it portrays members of our community and law enforcement,” he added.
