This is just one of the many hateful memes shared on Santa Fe's Sgt. Troy Baker.
Many of us are still reeling from the events over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, which includes the death of anti-racist activist Heather Heyer. During a clash with Nazis, white supremacists, and KKK members during a supposed “rally,” a white supremacist ran his truck into a crowd, killing Heyer and injuring many others.
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That’s why this news about a police union chief for Santa Fe, New Mexico from earlier this year is so important. According to the Santa Fe Reporter, Sgt. Troy Baker, President of the Santa Fe Police Officers Association, was caught posting a plethora of vile memes on his personal Facebook page that promote hate against people of color, Muslims, women, trans people—and the people who support them. This meme that he shared is especially relevant.
“That is a joke and taken as such. We don’t need to be running over people intentionally, but people shouldn’t be blocking roadways either.” — Sgt. Baker to the Santa Fe Reporter.
With all eyes on Charlottesville the past few days, many were disturbed by the police department’s dragging of feet when white supremacists were instigating violence. In light of this, it’s hard not to wonder how many of them have shared, liked, or laughed at this image? Unsurprisingly, Baker said his racism wouldn’t hold him back on the job (yeah, right).
Baker says personal views expressed on his Facebook post do not affect his on-duty behavior. “I’m not bringing it to work,” he tells SFR. “You find one person I am not giving appropriate community service to due to their gender, race or ethnicity. Find one.”
After news broke that both Baker and another officer named Isaiah Anaya were under investigation for the social media posts. During the investigation, he was not put on leave—and the other officer resigned in February.
A Google search failed to show any media revealing any updates on the investigation. It’s possible that Sgt. Baker still has his job. The Association's Guide Star page (yes, it’s a non-profit) still lists him as the “primary officer” and the Santa Fe Reporter reached out to him for comment on official police matters in June.
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