US cop's 'Nazi-style' tattoo stirs outrage

Philadelphia's Police Department has launched an internal investigation after a photo of a police officer and his 'Fatherland' tattoo, which bears similarity to the official symbol used by Hitler's Nazi party, was widely circulated on the internet. 

The mayor of they city, Jim Kenney, said in a statement that “The imagery on display in the tweet is disturbing" and added: "I find it incredibly offensive, and I know many others do as well.

"This image is particularly offensive to our WWII veterans who fought valiantly to free Europe from Nazi Germany, as well as all victims of Nazi atrocities. In this environment — in which open, honest dialogue between citizens and police is paramount — we need to be building trust, not offering messages or displaying images that destroy trust."

The police department said it does not have a policy that stops officers from displaying tattoos. In a statement, it said: "The Department does not condone anything that can be interpreted as offensive, hateful or discriminatory in any form. This is a very sensitive topic for both the citizens that we serve as well as the officers providing service to the public. We must ensure that all constitutional rights are adhered to while at the same time ensuring public safety and public trust aren’t negatively impacted.”

The president of the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge, John McNesby, told the 'Philadelphia Inquirer' that the tattoo was “not a big deal.”