VALLEJO – Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams was recently asked about an internal investigation within the Vallejo Police Department involving a swastika and issued the following response:
“After receiving numerous complaints from VPD employees, it was brought to my attention that a VPD employee’s communications contained the image of a swastika. Following a preliminary review of the matter, I ordered an outside investigation into the incident, which is currently in progress.”
“Racism will not be tolerated in our department, a swastika is a universal symbol of hate and racism and is not accepted here. Anyone who would imply or suggest otherwise is tone deaf and dishonors the memories and lives of millions of Jewish people and others who died during the Holocaust; they dishonor thousands of innocent Americans who have been lynched and murdered in America and they devalue the suffering and struggles that our country is facing today. Swastikas and other hate symbols of racism have no place in American Policing today. When we talk about making a shift in culture that is rooted in equity and justice, this is the type of behavior we cannot turn a blind eye to.”
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer, Brittany K. Jackson by email at VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net. or by phone at (707) 651-7147.
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