Posted on 04/22/2015 7:01:31 PM PDT by markomalley
The head of the city’s police union is accusing the assistant chief of police, Anita Najiy, of lacking respect for the United States, and he’s circulating a video he says should lead to disciplinary action against her. Her alleged crime against America? Not holding her hand over her heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fraternal Order of Police President Javier Ortiz was in the front row at a promotional event last week at Miami Police College to film Najiy, a 32-year-veteran of the agency, during the pledge. As other members placed their hands over their hearts, Najiy kept her arms by her sides.
In doing so, Ortiz says, she failed to exhibit courtesy and etiquette that “must be exercised when wearing a law enforcement uniform.”
“If you’re not pledging allegiance to the United States, my question is what country are you pledging allegiance to?” Ortiz says. “Anyone who isn’t offended by that is not American, because when you become a U.S. citizen, you pledge allegiance to the .US.”
Yesterday evening, Ortiz sent a letter to Chief Rodolfo Llanes outlining the event. He also suggested appropriate discipline, including Najiy's removal from a commander position.
Though the police department’s code of conduct allows for reprimand if an officer doesn't salute the flag, it makes no mention of protocol during the Pledge of Allegiance, according to the Miami Herald.
The Herald also reports that part of the code of conduct for U.S. military personnel supersedes the police's code — and it states that “when in uniform, indoors, stand at attention, remain silent, and face the flag.”
And that’s exactly what Najiy did. Still, the matter is "currently under review," according to a spokesman from the Miami Police Department.
That's not Ortiz's only complaint. He also says he's heard "rumors" that Najiy is Muslim, adding that if true, he respects her religion but that some normal “protections” of the freedoms of religion and speech don’t apply to those in police uniform, because “you’re supposed to be neutral.”
“The flag is a symbol of our country,” he says. “What is the difference if I decide to light a U.S. flag on fire in a police uniform?”
Najiy declined to discuss the complaint with New Times.
It would be of note to me to see what she did at other events like this one. Does she never show respect? That would concern me also.
If she was deep in thought on this day, family or personal issues and wasn’t paying attention, I could accept it. If she does this as a regular routine, she should be confronted on the issue.
She may have a giant chip on her shoulder. It would be best to know what gives.
wth? pick up your DAM arm and put it over your heart!! where’s my dam heartburn medication
It looks like the head of the police union is afraid of the assistant chief for some reason, and is flailing around trying to make her look bad. Apparently, she followed military protocol in this case.
Reminds me of that photo of Obama refusing to put his hand over his heart back in 2007(?) when he ran the first time.
Somebody may have the facility to post that picture here. The picture was of Obama, Hillary and Bill Richardson on an outdoor stage during a campaign event. Hillary and Richardson had no problem showing their respect for the flag but Obama just wouldn’t do it.
How this mope was elected, not once but twice, is beyond me. I hope our country survives.
“It looks like the head of the police union is afraid of the assistant chief for some reason, and is flailing around trying to make her look bad. Apparently, she followed military protocol in this case.”
******************************************************************************************************
She followed military protocol IF SHE WAS IN A MILITARY UNIFORM. She was in a police uniform...the business of “following military protocol” was meant merely as a distraction. There is something wrong with that assistant chief and no one is “flailing around trying to make her look bad”—she is being disrespectful to her country’s customs.
On April 9, 2008 Najay and others won a lawsuit requiring the city promote them because of their skin color: (http://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1491344.html). Maybe that's why.
She HAS a giant chip on her shoulder. B!tch!
She stood up, respectfully.
Cops are not under the jurisdiction of the Federal DOD/UCMJ.
ALL cops are civilians.
As a civilian, she is under no obligation, and in no breach of protocol, by not holding her right hand over her heart during a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Frankly, I view the very existence of “police unions” and all other government employee unions, entirely and intentionally, disrespectful to the USA.
I see that she has 32 years of service. As a retired LEO I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that her service records would show less than 5 of those years spent in an actual patrol car on the street.
If she does, she need to be jettisoned.
Not terribly likely. How does this one’s attitude differ from that of FLOTUS? Or of Sheila Jackson Lee’s?
It’s practically a birthright for today’s angry black woman.
I wouldn’t disagree with that. If she has any education and at that level she must, I’ll bet she’s been pumped full of this liberation “theology”, a Leftist’s pipe dream (pseudo religion) induced fantasy land.
Putting my hand over my heart during flag salute is automatic for me. I don’t see excuses here.
I know what you mean. I do too, but I’m not convinced everyone does, and those those who don’t have vile intentions for the U. S.
It doesn’t impress me for the good. I’ll tell you that.
If this woman has a bad attitude, she’s unfit to hold the position. I agree with that.
Police Brass vs Police Unions? I’ll just step back and let them fight to the death.
On April 9, 2008 Najay and others won a lawsuit requiring the city promote them because of their skin color: (http://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1491344.html). Maybe that's why.
A union upset over silly promotion rules? That's their bread and butter. It must be something else.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.