Associated Press
SEATTLE — The president of the Seattle police officers’ union is stepping down days after posting a controversial Facebook message following the Dallas police shootings.
Ron Smith told union members in an email Tuesday that he had become a distraction and planned to resign July 31.
The Facebook post, which has since been deleted, said: “Dallas PD and their officers are in our thoughts and prayers … The hatred of law enforcement by a minority movement is disgusting… Heads in swivels brothers and sisters… #Weshallovercome”
The posts drew criticism on social media.
Smith says he wrote the post “in the heat of the moment” and wanted to be supportive of fellow officers, not to offend anyone.
He also said he didn’t want to distract from federally mandated reform efforts underway in the Seattle Police Department.
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