The Miami police chief says his department is taking action after a photo surfaced of one of his officers wearing a mask expressing support for President Donald Trump at a polling location.
On Tuesday morning, Steve Simeonidis, the chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, tweeted a photo of Miami Police Officer Daniel Ubeda wearing a pro-Trump mask at a polling location.
“Here is @CityofMiami Police Officer Daniel Ubeda, in full uniform with badge and gun wearing his Trump mask inside of the polling location in government center,” Simeonidis said.
He added, “This is city-funded voter intimidation. Ubeda should be suspended immediately.”
Here is @CityofMiami Police Officer Daniel Ubeda, in full uniform with badge and gun wearing his Trump mask inside of the polling location in government center.
— Steve Simeonidis (@stevesimeonidis) October 20, 2020
This is city funded voter intimidation.
Ubeda should be suspended immediately. pic.twitter.com/TbJxu6mcem
Shortly after the photo surfaced, the Miami Police Department tweeted a statement from Chief Jorge Colina, “We are aware of the photograph being circulated of a Miami Police officer wearing a political mask in uniform.”
We are aware of the photograph being circulated of a Miami Police officer wearing a political mask in uniform. This behavior is unacceptable, a violation of departmental policy, and is being addressed immediately. pic.twitter.com/E3eO0IQh0f
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) October 20, 2020
“This behavior is unacceptable, a violation of departmental policy, and is being addressed immediately,” it added.
However, it was unclear what action the department would take.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told CBS 4 Miami that Ubeda was at the polling location to vote early, and explained that officers are allowed to wear their uniforms when they vote.
However, they cannot wear anything that would signal a political affiliation.
