Shively Police recruit terminated over inappropriate social media posts
SHIVELY, KY (WAVE) - A recruit of the Shively Police Department has been fired after allegations that he shared/posted inappropriate posts on his personal social media account.
Lt. Col. Josh Myers identified the recruit in question as Trenton McDuffie, who was undergoing basic law enforcement training at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Center in Richmond. Myers said the posts on McDuffie's Twitter were disturbing and inappropriate that stemmed from homophobic and racial nature.
"Yeah we're held to a higher standard and that is okay," Myers said. "We accept that. There is an issue of freedom of speech but at the same token you are representing a branch of government an arm of law. You can't have same liberties as other people do."
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WAVE 3 News uncovered multiple controversial posts on McDuffie's page, featuring homophobic and racial slurs.
"Shively Police Department does not condone nor will we tolerate any actions on the part of our members that is insensitive or intolerant of any person of any person's personal beliefs, color, sexual orientation, political opinions or otherwise," Myers said. "All people have the right to be treated equally and we make every effort to do so."
Myers said his department was made aware of the posts by the media. Although he was an employee of the City of Shively since July 16, McDuffie was not a sworn officer and was on a probationary status that wouldn't end until one year after his graduation from the academy.
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Myers said McDuffie was notified of his firing after being recalled from the academy to speak with department administrators.
Shively Police said they have a vetting process and check social media for people they hire but McDuffies Twitter page fell through the cracks. McDuffie told them he was young when he made the comments and shared the posts and they are not reflective of who he is now.
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