Police Officer Who Challenged 'Tyrannical' Lockdown is Suspended
Officer Greg Anderson called out to fellow cops across the nation
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A Port of Seattle police officer, who spoke out against enforcing "tyrannical orders" of the coronavirus lockdown, has been suspended by his department.
Officer Greg Anderson, a Special Forces veteran, spoke out in a video posted on social media denouncing the lockdown measures.
Anderson directed his message at his fellow officers across the nation, expressing his concerns.
"I've seen officers nationwide enforcing tyrannical orders against the people, and I'm hoping it's the minority of officers, but I'm not sure anymore," Anderson said.
"Because every time I turn on the television, every time I look to the internet, I'm seeing people arrested or cited for going to church, for traveling on the roadways, for going surfing, opening their businesses, going to park with their families, or doing nails out of their own house—using their own house as a business and having special agents go there and arrest them."
"We need to start looking at ourselves as officers and thinking, 'Is what I'm doing right?'" Anderson added.
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"I want to remind you that regardless of where you stand on the coronavirus, we don't have the authority to do those things to people just because a mayor or a governor tells you otherwise," he continued.
After Anderson's message went viral, he was placed on administrative leave by the Port of Seattle Police Department.
Port of Seattle Police Chief Rod Covey confirmed Anderson's suspension in a statement:
"Greg has always had the ability to express his opinions on what is going on in the country like all other Americans."
"However, he is not allowed to do so while on duty, wearing our uniform, wearing our badge, and while driving our patrol car."
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Covey continued;
"Every police officer in the country understands that. I personally told this to Greg and told him that I would support his right to talk about these issues as long as he did so while not claiming any affiliation to our police department."
"Greg has chosen this course of action ever after he and I spoke and while also knowing that his actions were outside of well-established policy."
Anderson claimed the department told him that his insubordination for refusing to take down his Instagram video was the reason for his termination.
The officer said:
"I had received a message from command saying, 'Wow Greg, what a powerful message. We agree with that 100 percent, well done,' and that was a relief for me. Fast forward three hours later I get another phone call from my command, 'Hey Greg, the video is up to 400,000 views, it's time to pull the plug on this thing.'"
Anderson added:
"I have three little kids; I have this house, I have another house. I cannot afford to lose my job."
A GundFundMe page was set up to help Anderson and his family, which has raised more than $278,000, with a goal of raising $50,000.
The news comes just days after a Shiawassee County Sheriff Brian BeGole declared his office would not enforce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) stay-at-home order as the Democrat faces backlash from lawmakers and residents for infringing on civil liberties.
