ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A police officer accused of telling drivers to run over protesters, has resigned his position with the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police.
The Facebook post came early Saturday morning under an online article about a protest planned for Martin Luther King Day.
Protest organizers hoped to shut down the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Facebook comment read: "Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don't slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street." The post then elaborated on how drivers can avoid prosecution if they do hit a protester.
Until he resigned today, Rothecker was the 2nd Vice President of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police.
Rothecker is on paid administrative leave from the St. Paul Police Department pending an investigation.
The comment drew sharp criticism from city leaders as well, including Mayor Chris Coleman who called it "disgusting."
St. Paul Officer Resigns Position With Police Group Over BLM Comments
/ CBS Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A police officer accused of telling drivers to run over protesters, has resigned his position with the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police.
The Facebook post came early Saturday morning under an online article about a protest planned for Martin Luther King Day.
Protest organizers hoped to shut down the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Facebook comment read: "Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don't slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street." The post then elaborated on how drivers can avoid prosecution if they do hit a protester.
Until he resigned today, Rothecker was the 2nd Vice President of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police.
Rothecker is on paid administrative leave from the St. Paul Police Department pending an investigation.
The comment drew sharp criticism from city leaders as well, including Mayor Chris Coleman who called it "disgusting."
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