More than a dozen police officers violated city policy Tuesday when they appeared in a short video tweeted by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, officials said.
In the video, the officers were wearing Trump's trademark red baseball caps that read, "Make America Great Again."
Mayor Ivy Taylor said in a social media comment that she was deeply disappointed with San Antonio police officers' "lack of judgment today. Police must be above politics & serve everyone equally."
Police Chief William McManus said "the officers wearing the campaign hats while in uniform violated SAPD policy and will be disciplined appropriately."
"SAPD officers are charged with protecting the entire community. The officers displayed poor judgment. I expect them to know better than to give the appearance of endorsing a candidate while on duty and in uniform, regardless of the political campaign or the candidate," McManus said.
The SAPD officers were part of the department's motorcycle unit that helped escort the Trump motorcade to and from International Airport. Their uniforms include the motorcycle unit patch and many can be seen in tall, black riding boots. The unit often helps transport dignitaries when they come to town, said Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association.
Helle said such political activity is prohibited.
"You can't do that kind of stuff while on duty," he said.
In the 25-second video, Trump can be heard saying, "thank you, fellas," to the officers. Several respond in kind and give him the thumbs-up sign while wearing the red baseball caps.
As Trump boards his airplane to leave, the officers turn away and walk back toward their parked motorcycles. The video captures at least 14 officers wearing the hats. Beneath them, video text reads: "WE WILL MAKE AMERICA SAFE & GREAT AGAIN, TOGETHER!"
Trump's tweet encouraged people to register to vote at VOTE.GOP if they hadn't already. Tuesday was the last day to register in Texas.
Thank you Texas! If you haven't registered to VOTE- today is your last day. Go to: https://t.co/HfihPEA3Sp & get out on 1 1/8/16 to #MAGA! pic.twitter.com/KlRx4GoO64
-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016
City policy prohibits employees from participating in political activity while acting in their capacity as city employees.
Helle said these officers escort dignitaries "all the time" and seemed surprised that they would don the political hats. But he expected little punishment for their actions.
"It seems kind of benign," he said. "They'd probably get a written reprimand or counseling to not do that sort of thing on duty."
Last month, City Attorney Andrew Segovia sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, asking his campaign to remove the images of two city employees who'd attended a town hall meeting to discuss veteran affairs.
The setting was used to film a campaign ad, and the two employees -- Military Affairs Director Juan Ayala and Deputy Director Karen Rolirad -- said they were unaware at the time that the town hall was being used to film an advertisement.
Hurd is in a competitive rematch with former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, who lost the seat in 2014. The race is considered a toss-up by national pundits.
Segovia's letter said city policy, consistent with the city charter, prohibits its workers from participating in political activity while acting in their capacity as city employees.
The two were there in their official capacity, and city officials worried that their images in the advertisement could suggest their endorsement of the candidate.
In this case, the cops appear to be supportive of the GOP nominee in his video.
City spokesman Jeff Coyle said officials have sent the Trump campaign a letter asking it to remove the video from social media.
Trump posted the video on his Twitter account about the time he was leaving San Antonio after a midday fundraiser. He's said to have accepted some $5 million on contributions in San Antonio and Dallas on Tuesday.
As the video began making its way around Twitter, several people questioned whether officers were violating city policy.
On person tweeted, "@SATXPolice clearly you only going to protect and serve Trump voters. I guess I won't be visiting San Antonio ever again."
(c)2016 the San Antonio Express-News
