Bob CollinsThe social media manager for the Gainesville, Fla., police department was having a pretty good week until one of its hero cops turned out to be an apparent anti-Semite.
The department’s Facebook account has been posting images of its officers working in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
This one charmed Facebookians to the point where the department planned to make a calendar of its officers to raise money for Irma relief efforts.
Bad idea.
Social media gives and social media takes away.
Someone recognized the cop in the middle — Michael Hamill — as the guy who posted anti-Semitic screeds on his Facebook page before becoming a cop, the Gainesville Sun reports.
One screen shot is of an April 2013 post, in which Hamill writes: “Who knew that reading jewish jokes before I go to bed would not only make me feel better about myself but also help me to sleep better as well. Here is one for everybody, “What’s the difference between boy scouts and jews?” Anybody know? Well it is because “Boy scouts come back from their camps.”
One person replied to that Facebook post, calling it “messed up.” Hamill replied, “u don’t like it? don’t read it then.”
In another screen shot from a 2011 post, Hamill writes: “so I find it funny that people will talk about how our government needs to do something about our economy and in reality it’s YOU who needs to stop taking advantage of our system and get a life and do something with your life. Gotta love reality when it hits you in the face. Stupid people annoy me. Put them in an oven and deal with them the Hitler way. Haha.”
The department removed Hamill’s selfie from its Facebook page.
“The Gainesville Police Department prides itself with our philosophy and mission of compassion, inclusion, and respect and will fully review the matter,” a spokesman said.
Takeaway: Your social media history is forever.
