LAPD investigating report of George Floyd ‘Valentine’

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Division has launched an inner investigation after an officer reported {that a} photograph of George Floyd with the phrases “You’re taking my breath away” in a Valentine-like format was circulated amongst officers.

Police Chief Michel Moore stated Saturday that investigators will attempt to decide how the picture could have come into the office and who could have been concerned, the Los Angeles Instances reported. Moore stated the officer who made the criticism can be interviewed Monday.

“Our investigation is to find out the accuracy of the allegations whereas additionally reinforcing our zero tolerance for something with racist views,” Moore stated.

Floyd, a Black man, died final Might after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck as Floyd repeatedly stated, “I can’t breathe.” His dying launched huge protests nationwide over racial injustice and police brutality.

Ben Crump, an lawyer for Floyd’s household, stated Monday that the household is outraged.

“That is past insult on high of harm — it’s harm on high of dying. The kind of callousness and cruelty inside an individual’s soul wanted to do one thing like this evades comprehension — and is indicative of a a lot bigger drawback throughout the tradition of the LAPD,” Crump stated. “We demand that everybody who was concerned is held accountable for his or her revolting conduct and that an apology be issued to the household instantly.”

If the probe confirms LAPD officers have been circulating the picture, “folks will discover my wrath,” the police chief stated.

The Instances reported that Moore additionally confirmed the division is investigating two nameless Instagram accounts reportedly linked to division personnel — together with one known as the “Blue Line Mafia.”