Posted on 06/19/2009 11:13:36 PM PDT by Steelfish
Some find El Monte police officer's side business -- selling clothing with gang symbols -- dismaying
June 20, 2009
When El Monte Police Officer George Fierro was seen on video kicking a prone, heavily tattooed gang member in the head at the end of a televised high-speed chase, he received some criticism but also a good amount of praise.
Then the 15-year police veteran's side business made the news, and no one advocated giving him a medal for that.
When he's not fighting crime and chasing gang members, Fierro sells a line of clothing. Hiscompany's website is known "for its authentic jailhouse wear."
Among the shirts he sells is one with a black handprint dripping blood -- a symbol of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. The shirt includes the names of members of "the EME" who "wore this tattoo logo."
Another shirt has a logo that reads "Green Lighters" with a splatter of blood in the background. The term refers to someone who has defied the Mexican Mafia and has been put on a hit list.
While reserving judgment on the videotaped kick, Councilwoman Patricia Wallach criticized Fierro's business.
"Our police officers spend their time doing everything possible to prevent gang members promoting themselves and here is an officer who is doing his best to glorify gangs," she said.
Fierro's business is called Torcido Clothing. The Police Department's lawyers are looking at the issue, said El Monte Police Chief Tom Armstrong, but only as an "advisory matter."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
El Monte, California? Say no more...
I would be surprised if in 15 years the other officers did not know about his gang affiliation. Yah, I know, it is only clothing, but he choose his side in life.
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