The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation after an officer reported a Valentine's Day-style photo of George Floyd.
The card was allegedly accompanied by the words 'You take my breath away' and was circulated in the department.
Police Chief Michel Moore said investigators are currently trying to determine the origin of the image and if any officers were involved in its creation.
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"Our investigation is to determine the accuracy of the allegations while also reinforcing our zero-tolerance for anything with racist views," he said
He added that the officer who reported the matter will also be interviewed.
The LAPD also took to Twitter to acknowledge the sick joke, writing: "The Department has become aware of allegations that an image was being passed around the department and this image was in the workplace.
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"There are also allegations that the post with the image was authored by a department employee.
"A personnel complaint has been initiated and we are pursuing each allegation including interviewing the department member who brought it to our attention.
"At this point, the Department has not identified any actual postings in the workplace or identified that it was in fact our department employee who created the image. We have raised the apparent existence of the image and directed commands to survey the worksites for it."
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"If found any employee or supervisor is directed to take possession and identify those present. The Department will have zero tolerance for this type of behaviour," they added.
Ben Crump, an attorney who represents Floyd's family, demanded an apology be issued to the family and that all involved be held accountable for their actions.
"This is beyond insult on top of injury - it's injury on top of death," he said in a statement.
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"The type of callousness and cruelty within a person's soul needed to do something like this evades comprehension - and is indicative of a much larger problem within the culture of the LAPD."
George Floyd died while in police custody in May last year after Indianapolis officer Derek Chauvin was videoed pressing his knee down on the victim's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
During the ordeal, Floyd could be heard pleaded with the officer, saying: "I can't breathe."
Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Floyd's death triggered a wave of protests across the globe.
Featured Image Credit: TwitterTopics: George Floyd, US News
