KAYSVILLE, Utah - Ahead of multiple protests this weekend in Utah over George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kaysville Police and the FBI Counterterrorism Division are investigating racist comments on KTVX ABC4’s Facebook page.
The comments expressed support of then-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was arrested after video showed him kneeling on Floyd's neck for several minutes.
“My husband is an officer and I support this officer 100%," one comment read, followed by: “He took one less black person off the streets! I support his actions."
The comments were linked to the family of a Kaysville Police officer -- however those involved strongly deny the allegations saying that there is the possibility of a fake account used under their name.
In a statement, Kaysville PD said:
“As part of an in-depth investigation into the matter, the officer and his wife were interviewed. They strongly denied the allegations and expressed concern that a fake profile may have been created to post the comments.“
The full statement read:
On May 28, 2020, the Kaysville Police Department received multiple notifications that the wife of a Kaysville Police Officer or someone representing themselves to be his wife posted some incredibly hateful and racist comments on an ABC Facebook news story about the officer involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Kaysville Police Department strongly condemns these comments from whoever posted them, but especially if it was from an officer or any of their family members or associates.
As part of an in-depth investigation into the matter, the officer and his wife were interviewed. They strongly denied the allegations and expressed concern that a fake profile may have been created to post the comments.
The FBI has agreed to provide investigative assistance with their cyber terrorism unit. We are committed to finding the truth in this matter and enforcing any violation of policy or law to the fullest extent possible.
Kaysville Police are still investigating the comments, and anyone with information is asked to email pthompson@kaysvillecity.com or call 801-497-7063.
Those comments came on a story about the upcoming events on Saturday.
“I’m not shocked at all… And I know there’s more out there just not saying anything,” Carly Haldman with Utah Against Police Brutality told FOX 13. “That person absolutely needs to be fired. They need to be surveillanced; they need to be punished for their comments.”
Utah Against Police Brutality is planning Saturday's Car Caravan for Justice as a part of the National Day of Protest.
"People will be angry, and rightfully so. The plan is to circle around the police station," Haldman said. "Justice for people who have been killed and lynched nationally as well as locally.”
The local chapter of Black Lives Matter is getting involved as well.
“When you are just blatantly racist, you should have to pay for your actions,” Lex Scott of Black Lives Matter Utah told FOX 13.
She is heading out to Minneapolis Friday to be a part of the protests there and to see it on the ground, but she says taking a local look at these issues is just as important.
“Police brutality not only exists in Minneapolis -- it exists here. It happens in every state,” Scott said, "and we’ve had several notable cases here.”
Kaysville Police are “strongly condemning these comments from whoever posted them, especially if it was from an officer or any of their family members or associates.”
