Officer's Opinions on City Candidates Cause Concern Among Citizens
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: October 10, 2012
"If we would have taken action, we would have been violating his rights to free speech," says Lincoln mayor Rob Hulse.
A Lincoln police officer, creating some controversy via social media for his thoughts on certain candidates running for city positions.
"This gentleman had made some comments effectively describing that he would not support them, would not work with them and so forth," Hulse says.
A series of Facebook posts appearing under officer Greg Gunn's account, causing some citizens to think twice before posting supportive signs in their yard --afraid that it might affect what kind of service and protection they would receive.
"That was brought up that there was some people that are concerned, and if they are, I would hope that they would reach out and talk with me on that<' Hulse says. "It doesn't matter who they support in an election, what matters is that we support them, and we're very committed to that."
As officer Gunn's online opinions got the attention of Hulse, and the city's leader sought legal advice on the matter.
"He instructed us that no legal action was the proper way of handling this situation," Hulse says.
According to a state statute, as long as a law enforcement officer isn't on duty, in uniform or acting in official capacity -- he or she has every right to engage in political activities.
"And that is grounds for the fact that we we're not going to take action," Hulse says.
A politically-sensitive situation solved -- less than a month away from Election Day, gving residents some peace of mind as they head to the polls.
"I expect a lot of people to come out and vote, I encourage that once again. And, we'll see November 6th," Hulse adds.
A Lincoln police officer, creating some controversy via social media for his thoughts on certain candidates running for city positions.
"This gentleman had made some comments effectively describing that he would not support them, would not work with them and so forth," Hulse says.
A series of Facebook posts appearing under officer Greg Gunn's account, causing some citizens to think twice before posting supportive signs in their yard --afraid that it might affect what kind of service and protection they would receive.
"That was brought up that there was some people that are concerned, and if they are, I would hope that they would reach out and talk with me on that<' Hulse says. "It doesn't matter who they support in an election, what matters is that we support them, and we're very committed to that."
As officer Gunn's online opinions got the attention of Hulse, and the city's leader sought legal advice on the matter.
"He instructed us that no legal action was the proper way of handling this situation," Hulse says.
According to a state statute, as long as a law enforcement officer isn't on duty, in uniform or acting in official capacity -- he or she has every right to engage in political activities.
"And that is grounds for the fact that we we're not going to take action," Hulse says.
A politically-sensitive situation solved -- less than a month away from Election Day, gving residents some peace of mind as they head to the polls.
"I expect a lot of people to come out and vote, I encourage that once again. And, we'll see November 6th," Hulse adds.
