Anne Arundel officer suspended after Oath Keepers hat spotted in cruiser
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Anne Arundel County police say an officer has been suspended for displaying a hat bearing the name of an anti-government group in a cruiser.
Media outlets report that department spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure confirmed Tuesday that the officer's police powers were suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation. A photo of the hat, which displayed the name "Oath Keepers," was shared with the department Monday after it was spotted in a grocery store parking lot.
The organization is made up of current and former military and police who vow to uphold the Constitution, but it has caught the attention of hate-watch groups.
Chief Timothy Altomare says the hat appears to violate the department's policy against officers espousing political beliefs and such conduct won't be tolerated.
