#Michigan police chief on leave after posts about ‘body bags’ for protesters

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Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide
shelbytwp.org

A Michigan police chief is being investigated for writing a series of offensive posts on social media, including some calling for “body bags” for those protesting the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Shelby Township top cop Robert Shelide was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday pending the probe into Facebook and Twitter posts linked to him, the Detroit News reports.

“We have been made aware of some recent posts being attributed to our chief,” an unsigned statement posted Thursday on the township’s website read. “Please have patience with us while we find out what is happening.”

In since-deleted comments posted to Facebook and Twitter, accounts using pseudonyms purportedly used by Shelide suggested to “unleash real cops” on the protesters nationwide demonstrating in the aftermath of Floyd’s May 25 death in Minneapolis, the newspaper reports.

“Trump threatening to deploy the military,” one post allegedly linked to Shelide read. “I have a better idea. Unleash real cops and let them take care of the barbarians. I promise it will be over in 24 hours.”

In another post, a Twitter profile titled “Sheepdawg711” called the protesters “wild savages,” the Detroit News reports, adding that the deactivated account had links to Shelide.

“Wild savages,” the post read. “I wish to God I would have been there. Body bags for these vicious subhumans.”

In another tweet from the account, Shelide responded to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez after the prosecutor asked for photos or videos of alleged police brutality from the public.

“Shutup you libtard,” a reply read. “Go bury your head.”

The police chief, meanwhile, apologized in a statement late Thursday while asking for forgiveness for his remarks, the Detroit Free Press reports.

“While an apology is insufficient and an insult to the gravity of my comments, I humbly and respectfully ask for the courtesy of forgiveness to those I have offended, to my department and more importantly to those I am sworn to serve,” Shelide told the newspaper in an email.