UPDATED: Miami-Dade Captain Brian Beckmann demoted to firefighter. Psychological eval ordered over Facebook rant on Trayvon Martin case. Mayor says 'we are public servants 24/7'.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue picture of Brian Beckmann.
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UPDATED from WPLG-TV (Click here to watch story):
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez released a statement Monday saying that he supports the decision to demote Beckmann.
“The comments made by Captain Beckmann were reprehensible and will not be tolerated. We can’t have our employees, especially a supervisor, making such disparaging comments about any member of our community, much less one of our own employees,” Gimenez said.
The mayor said he has directed staff members to revise the policies connected to the issue.
“There’s no such thing as being off-the-clock; we are public servants 24/7 and must conduct ourselves with the utmost professionalism at all times,” Gimenez said.
A Miami-Dade fire captain, under fire for his controversial Facebook comments in the Trayvon Martin case has been demoted.
Captain Brian Beckmann fell from the top of the command in his firehouse to the lowest rank of firefighter, CBS4 News has learned.
In a decision expected to be announced later Monday, the Miami-Dade Fire Department is expected to make a statement that it no longer feels comfortable with Beckmann in a supervisor position.
In addition to the demotion, Beckmann has been ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and diversity training. He is on paid medical leave.
Beckmann told Local 10’s Roger Lohse that the mayor wanted to fire him, but the chief and the union stood up for him.
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