The Miami Department of Fire has sacked six of its firefighters after they were found complicit in the defacing of a black lieutenants family photos with
The decision to dismiss the officers was announced by the Chief Fire officer of the Department of Fire-Rescue on Thursday.
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According to buzzfeed.com, the said lieutenant has worked with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue for 17 years.
However, it is far from clear what could have motivated the officers in question to deface his photos with penises and other lustful, "sexually explicit" drawings on 9th September.
Mr. Zahralban described the conduct of the sacked officers as "a hideous, distasteful act of hate."
He added that "This was immediately reported to my staff, and as a result, I personally responded to the station. Appalled by my observation, I immediately requested the Miami Police Department investigate the matter and temporarily transferred all personnel assigned to that station, per our department policy."
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Miami Herald reported that after interviewing 20 people "under oath" as part of a civil investigation, 11 employees were suspended without pay, five of whom are still under investigation and could face additional discipline.
The photos in contention are said to be those of the lieutenant's wife and one of his children and their grandmother.
The six firefighters who were fired on Wednesday include Capt. William W. Bryson, and firefighters Kevin Meizoso, David Rivera, Justin Rumbaugh, Harold Santana, and Alejandro Sese.
Associated Press’s report indicated that in their termination letters, officials accused the firefighters of drawing or helping draw the penises on their colleague's family photos.
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The statement further explained that they "Engaged in conduct unbecoming to an officer when members under your direct supervision defaced several personal photos of a fellow firefighter with graphic and obscene phallic renderings."
