SAN DIEGO — “As Mayor, I will not tolerate racism, anti-Semitism, or homophobia in our city,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria declared Saturday. “We will swiftly confront these acts of bigotry wherever they are and hold those who are responsible for them accountable.”
The strong statement followed reports that a video of the 2014 movie Downfall, depicting Hitler’s last days, was reedited with new subtitles and circulated within the San Diego Police department. According to Lt. Shawn Takeuchi, the police department’s spokesman, “the video also makes a homophobic comment regarding the mayor.”
Most of the parody concerned Police Chief David Nisleit’s decision to investigate police officers who were spotted sitting at a restaurant table in La Jolla in apparent violation of social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
“I have been made aware of the offensive video that has circulated within the San Diego Police Department and have directed the Police Chief to continue his internal investigation,” Gloria’s statement said. “I regret that this act by an apparently disgruntled individual is now reflecting poorly on our Department. It’s unfair to the many men and women who serve our community with honor and a strong sense of duty.”
Takeuchi commented, “Clearly, whoever created the video was angry … As this video began to circulate, numerous department members who received it (via text message) notified their supervisors,” The Union-Tribune reported.
Although the Police Officers Association made no comment to the media, it did send send an advisory to any officers who believe in relation to the video that they might be subjected to administrative investigation or disciplinary action to contact a POA attorney.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com