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Delray vice mayor's Facebook post upsets police

Posted at 11:42 PM, May 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 06:57:52-04

Delray Beach's newly appointed vice mayor at odds with the city's police department after a brief encounter at a car accident with a police officer.

Commissioner Al Jacquet says he stopped to speak to the officer and claims the cop was rude to him. He even went so far to call out the department on social media. Now his rant may cost him an endorsement.

An audio recording shows Jacquet was upset when the officer said to him, "Can I help you?"

The vice mayor took to Facebook saying the officer, "Did not exhibit any of the characteristics I expect from my police officers."

In a text message sent to NewsChannel 5, Jacquet says, "In light of Corey Jones and countless other incidents around the country, I'm obligated to be the voice of citizens and taxpayers who want to speak up, but can't."

John Kazanjian of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association says his Delray Beach Police Representatives called him, upset about Jacquet's reaction.

He says the association is pulling their endorsement from Jacquet who is running for state representative.

"If that's a problem with him, he doesn't need to just put it out on Facebook and call the officer rude because the officer thinks he's doing something right. Listen, this might be a cultural thing, but you can't just have a knee jerk reaction," says Kazanjian.

He says Jacquet has not tried to contact him.