Police agency suspends Black History Month social media posts due to racist, hateful comments

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – Police agencies in two Lowcountry cities say they have been inundated with what they called racist and hateful comments on their Black History Month social media posts.

The Goose Creek Police Department said it was forced to stop posting and sharing messages that highlight its African American employees due to negative comments.

“Unfortunately, the amount of hatred, racism and negativity that has been received on these posts in unfathomable,” the agency said in a social media post Thursday afternoon. “Honestly, people should be ashamed.”

A decision to discontinue the posts was made after several employees spoke up about the comments.

“Our employees do not deserve to be the subject of social media outrage,” the department said. “We will internally celebrate and appreciate the different view points, perspectives, and cultures our employees have to offer, not only to the Police Department but the City as a whole.”

Earlier Thursday, the neighboring North Charleston Police Department decided to disable comments on its social media pages over similar concerns.

“The North Charleston Police Department takes pride in being an all-inclusive agency, hiring people of all faiths, colors, and creeds. That includes recognizing sworn and non-sworn employees during the celebration of Black History Month,” the department said in a Facebook post.

“Unfortunately, we have seen many racist comments on our Black History Month posts. These are totally unacceptable,” the post continued.

NCPD said it was following the advice of its attorneys by turning off the comment section on Facebook and other platforms.