ST. PAUL (WCCO/AP) — St. Paul Police have confirmed that an online photograph indeed shows one of its policemen dressed as a Muslim woman, according to the Pioneer Press.
Police spokesman Howie Padilla says the officer is still assigned to the K-9 unit. The officer’s name was not released Monday.
Padilla says the matter is still under investigation.
On Sunday, St. Paul Police received a Tweet asking if the person in the photo is one of its officers.
St. Paul Police (@sppdPIO) says it's investigating an alleged policeman dressed as a Somali woman. #CultureNotCostume http://t.co/PEftUNUV—
Mukhtar Ibrahim (@mukhtaryare) February 04, 2013
The Tweet came from Mukhtar Ibrahim, who identifies himself as a journalist and editor in the Washington, D.C. area.
St. Paul Police responded to the tweet, saying they take it seriously and are investigating.
“After an image was brought to my attention this morning, I ordered an immediate investigation to determine all of the facts surrounding it,” said St. Paul Police chief Tom Smith. “The Saint Paul Police Department has worked hard to establish a strong and respectful relationship with our Muslim communities, and I will not allow these types of images to erode that relationship. Diversity is one of the greatest strengths of the City of Saint Paul, and we expect each one of our officers to respect and take pride in serving each of our diverse communities.”
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement, saying the officer should undergo diversity training.
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