The president of a Medford police union has apologized for posing for a photograph in which he "arrested" someone dressed in a Hillary Clinton prison costume that went viral on social media, The Boston Globe reported.
Harold MacGilvray of the Medford Police Patrolmen's Association said he used "poor judgment" but that the photo was taken spontaneously during a community festival over the weekend and was "absolutely not" done with the intent of making a political statement.
"These were Halloween costumes," MacGilvray said. "It was meant totally as a joke. I apologize if this offended anyone in any way. I never expected this sort of reaction. It was poor judgment on my part."
CBSBoston reported that the caption on the photo said, "Look who MPD grabbed at the Fall Festival in Haines Square today…"
MacGilvray and other officers also posed with another individual at the festival wearing a Donald Trump mask with the caption "Making America great again in West Medford Square!!"
The photos were originally posted on the Medford Police Patrolman's Association's Facebook page, but have since been removed.
They received even further attention on social media when Republican New Hampshire Rep. Al Baldasaro tweeted the photo to both Clinton and Trump.
The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has issued directives that all public employees should refrain from political activities while on the job, especially in uniform, stating "A public employee who engages in such political activity, unless the activity is of truly minimal duration or significance (such as wearing a political campaign button to work in a public office), violates the conflict of interest law."
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