By Joanna Putman
Police1
TARBORO, N.C. — A 24-year veteran of the Tarboro Police Department has been placed on administrative leave following a social media post regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, WNCN reported.
Detective Sgt. Brandon Richardson is under internal investigation after making a Facebook post, which read “Damn. Only about an inch away from making America great again...” according to the report.
Chief of Police Rick Mann confirmed Richardson’s status and addressed the situation publicly on Monday.
“We take this matter very seriously, as it does not reflect the values and standards of our department,” Mann said in a Facebook post. “We understand that such incidents can affect public trust, and we are dedicated to handling this matter with the seriousness and accountability it deserves.”
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Mann also said the department will review its social media policies to ensure they align with best practices and clearly communicate expectations.
On his own Facebook page, Richardson issued an apology, acknowledging that his attempt at dark humor was inappropriate and offensive.
“I realize now that my words were not only inappropriate but also deeply offensive to many of you. For that, I am truly sorry,” Richardson wrote.
In the video below, Gordon Graham discusses social media and how public safety professionals must adhere to best practices to maintain the public’s trust and a sense of professionalism across the board.
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