Police: Santa Cruz officer falsely accused of using offensive gesture in picture

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz police said a social media photo of a man showing what appears to be a gesture similar to a Nazi salute and another person making an offensive gesture has been circulating, and the post said that one making the offensive gesture was a Santa Cruz officer.

Police said the image of the man was pixilated, and the post included the name and social media account of the officer accused, which led to threats against him and strangers approaching him.

The Police Department started an investigation, and the Professional Standards Sergeant found the original photo. Police said the people in the picture are not and have never been Santa Cruz Police Department employees.

"The post appears designed to intentionally ruin a good man's integrity and publicly shame him while attacking his profession. The evidence, in this case, could support a claim of libel or defamation," police said in a statement.

Police said the officer accused of being in the photo is in good standing.

In these kinds of situations, the Police Department said there is a professional standards investigation and an independent police auditor evaluates the internal affairs investigation. The auditor reviews the citizen complaint process and will review and make recommendations for police policies and practices.

To report an officer conduct issue, you are asked to contact Professional Standards Sergeant Scott Garner at sgarner@citysantacruz.com.