The president of the Medford police union said he used “poor judgment” when he posed for a photograph with a person dressed as a shackled Hillary Clinton.
Harold MacGilvray of the Medford Police Patrolmen’s Association apologized for the photo in the wake of social media backlash.
MacGilvray said the photo, which featured himself, another Medford officer and a person donning a Clinton mask, orange jumpsuit and wrist shackles, was not meant to make a political statement. He said the picture was snapped as a joke during a community Halloween festival, boston.com reported. The photo was originally posted on the police union’s Facebook page Saturday with the caption “Look who MPD grabbed at the Fall Festive in Haines Square Today …” The photo was later taken down, the Boston Herald reported. Although the Medford Police Patrolmen’s Association does endorse political candidates, MacGilvray said the photo was not meant to send a message.
“it was meant to be funny,” he told the Herald in an email.
The photo was reposted by New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro, a Republican who has endorsed Donald Trump.
Medford MA Police Department Union President Harold MacGilveray on the right, found @HillaryClinton & arrested her. @realDonaldTrump #MAGA pic.twitter.com/2fjap0kFpu
— Rep Al Baldasaro (@Al_Baldasaro) October 29, 2016
Baldasaro’s tweet had 57 retweets, dozens of comments and 73 likes by Monday. Some responses were in support, others angry police would take such a photo.
“You really are a disgrace,” a Clinton supporter responded.
@Al_Baldasaro @HillaryClinton @realDonaldTrump You really are a disgrace.
— MLO (@sagablue) October 30, 2016
“What’s the problem? Hillary is the most documented criminal in history,” wrote another user. “BRAVO!”
@al_baldasaro @hillaryclinton @realdonaldtrump What’s the problem? Hillary is the most documented criminal in world history. BRAVO!!
— Rocker5150 (@Crush_The_Cabal) October 31, 2016
