23-year-veteran cop suspended 5 days for mocking David Hogg at ‘die-in’ protest

May 30, 2018 | | Print Article

A Florida police officer has been suspended for 5 days for an ill-advised comment directed at Parkland, Florida, student David Hogg.

Coconut Creek police K-9 officer Brian Valenti posting the comment on Facebook in response to the “die-in” intimidation campaign Hogg organized to protest the Florida based Supermarket Publix contributing to a hometown candidate who supports the NRA, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Valenti said he hoped “some old lady loses control of her car in that lot,” posting the comment under a photo of media favorite Hogg and two others standing in a parking lot at the Coral Springs Publix.

In a show of the media support an empowered Hogg enjoys, the story was picked up widely by the national media.

While inexcusable, the comment captures the animosity many feel toward Hogg and his misguided campaign of bullying toward those who don’t support his gun control agenda — the student called 5 million responsible gun owners who make up the NRA “child murderers.”

Coconut Creek Chief Albert “Butch” Arenal shared a statement online announcing the 23 year veteran police officer’s suspension over the “disparaging remark.”

“After careful consideration of the adverse impact Officer Valenti’s Facebook post may have had on any of the individuals involved, his deep regret for making the comment, and the damage inflicted upon the Coconut Creek Police Department’s reputation, I have decided to suspend Officer Valenti for a period of five days without pay,” Arenal said in the statement.

The police chief noted that his department has been actively involved in responding to the tragic shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School.

“Our officers have walked alongside Parkland students,” he added, “providing security during protests, have attended and assisted with events and vigils in Parkland to show solidarity with our kids, and our amazing employees have gone above and beyond the call of duty to be there for our community in a time of need.”

Arenal said Officer Valenti will be “required to attend” reeducation camp sensitivity training “in order to continue as an employee with the police department.”

Hogg, who moves comfortable between the role of aggressive activist and a passive victim, described Valenti’s words as “hate and violence.”

“Cops are meant to protect and serve communities, not spread hate and violence among them,” the 18-year old media darling said, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Tom Tillison
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