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th Avenue. Miami, Florida 33130

Phone (305) 854-5019 Ortiz@fopmiami.com

Javier Ortiz Thomas Reyes PRESIDENT SECRETARY

A Proud Tradition in Law Enforcement

April 22, 2015

FOP MEDIA RELEASE, Javier Ortiz, President

Re: Response To MPD False Claims That A/C Najiy Follows Military Code It was brought to my attention that the Miami Police Department (MPD) has made an official statement regarding the refusal by Assistant Chief Najiy to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag. Notwithstanding that the MPD is deflecting the issue of the Pledge of Allegiance to OUR flag and quoting U.S. Military Code, the police department should be directly addressing violations of departmental orders and our oath of office. In response to following military code, our police department does require that officers utilize less than lethal weapons and tactics when it is practicable. The United States military is not restricted in that manner. Does that mean that police officers may revert to military procedure when they feel it fits their whim? Absurd, but so is the insistence that the U.S. military code governs our department in any way. The Pledge of Allegiance is not recited in military formations or in military ceremonies. At other functions where the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, a soldier in uniform silently stands at attention facing the flag and renders the hand salute if outdoors. Indoors, a soldier in uniform silently stands at attention facing the flag. We are not soldiers, but law enforcement officers.

I had false hopes that the MPD would address the issue at hand. Assistant Chief Najiy practices the Muslim faith. The MPD apparently is afraid to address this. In the United States, you have the right to practice any religion and say whatever you want off duty. When you're in our police uniform, you are to be neutral. Making a political or religious statement in uniform is wrong. Months ago, I had a conversation with Chief Orosa on this very issue. The Chief told me that he would address the issue and Assistant Chief Najiy was properly pledging allegiance to our flag after that. Some will say that her defiance is protected by her freedom of religion under the first amendment. If this is true and leadership wants to assert every police officer in uniform with the first amendment, the following examples will be allowed:

Miami Police Officers will not have to abide by the social media policy because under the first amendment,

police officers can say whatever their heart desires in uniform.

Miami Police Officers would have the right to hate individuals and speak their minds without any recourse

because it's protected by the first amendment. If a police officer wants to burn a U.S. flag in uniform, it

would be considered protected.

Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? It is completely reckless to allow this behavior to continue. We aren't the military. I have great respect for everyone including those that practice the Muslim faith. Some say that if you're Muslim, you can't pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag. The Quran states that you cannot worship false gods. Our flag isn't a god, but a symbol of our country that represents and supports the United States Constitution which is included in our oath. We are law enforcement officers. Until Assistant Chief Najiy follows the proper guidelines and directives, what type of leadership are we under? We respect all religions and the feelings of everyone. However in police uniform, we are required to abide by our oath of office and remain neutral. I will continue to request that she steps down as the Commander of the Honor Guard Detail.