Three Aurora, Colorado police officers have been fired following the controversial photo that mocked Elijah McClain at his memorial.
According to Fox News, the ex-cops in question are Kyle Dittrich, Erica Morrera and Jason Rosenblatt. In the viral photo, the two men and woman appeared to reenact the chokehold that was used on McClain by authorities during the incident.
News of the firing came after Jaron Jones, who was hired by the force in 2016, resigned for his involvement in the matter. “In response to inquiries by the press, Jaron Jones, hired October 31, 2016, tendered his resignation,” the Aurora Police Department tweeted. “Jones was one of the employees involved and depicted in the photograph investigation related to #ElijahMcClain. We will continue to update with developments as we proceed.”
During a press conference held on Thursday (June 25), interim police chief Vanessa Wilson announced that the former officers were placed on administrative leave with pay. “Thursday (June 25) afternoon, I was apprised of allegations reported to Internal Affairs by an Aurora Police Officer alleging multiple Aurora Police officers were depicted in photographs near the site where Elijah McClain died,” Wilson said. “All involved officers were immediately placed on administrative leave with pay in non-enforcement capacities.”
While steps have been taken by authorities in support of demanding justice, supporters on social media pointed out that the officers linked to McClain’s death are still employed. “Rosenblatt got fired not for killing Elijah, not for murdering Elijah, but for making fun of Elijah,” Terrence Roberts, a community organizer and family friend, said to the Associated Press. “That is the culture that we’re fighting, where a police officer can murder a Black man, a Black child, and keep his job and stay on the force so he can go make fun of this child.”