Michigan Cop Suspended After Flying Confederate Flag at Anti-Trump Protest

A police officer in Michigan has been suspended with pay after he was spotted driving around with a confederate flag at an anti-Donald Trump protest.

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Complex Original

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A police officer in Michigan has been suspended with pay after he was spotted driving around with a confederate flag at an anti-Donald Trump protest on Sunday. He then parked his pick-up truck, cracked open a beer, and observed the protest. CBS News reports that the cop was off-duty while he was displaying the confederate flag.

Traverse City police chief Jeff O'Brien announced Sunday that the officer, Michael Peters, has been suspended and there will be an official internal investigation to determine if he violated any of the department's rules or any laws by driving around with a confederate flag during a peaceful protest. 

O'Brien told the Traverse City Record-Eagle, "He [Peters] is not working as a police officer. I do not condone his actions." O'Brien also characterized Peters' actions as "intimidating" and not in keeping with the Traverse City police department's mission, according to the Record-Eagle

In a Facebook post written Sunday morning, O'Brien told the citizens of Traverse City, "I hear you!" and "Let me assure you that we hold our officers to a higher standard and the flag incident will be fully investigated."

O'Brien added that Peters is entitled do "Due Process" and constitutional rights, noting that the investigation could take some time, but "cool heads will prevail."

O'Brien told the Record-Eagle that he's proud to be a member of the Traverse City community, adding, "We will get through this. The community will get through this."

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