Philadelphia Fire Department Apologizes for Medic’s Jab at Police

PHILADELPHIA (MyFOXPhilly) – A Philadelphia Fire Department paramedic is apologizing tonight for what some are calling despicable and racist social media posts.

These posts that have some Philadelphia Police Officers fuming and the Mayor’s office investigating.

Some Philly Police Officers say the photo goes too far.

The Instagram post shows two African Americans pointing guns at the head of a white police officer.

The post reads, “Our real enemy. Need 2 stop pointing guns at each other and at the ones that’s legally killing innocents.”

But what makes the picture more disturbing for police is that the photo came from account of a Philadelphia Firefighter Paramedic.

“It’s despicable, and it defames police,” said Police Union President John McNesby.

Philadelphia Police Union Chief John McNesby says the image is a slap in the face to police, the first responders who work side by side with firefighters.

Marcell Salters has been identified as the paramedic who posted the picture. He works at medic 23 in southwest Philadelphia. Coincidently, in the very same building as 19th district police.

“It’s a brotherhood. We are out there doing the same work public safety and to do something like that is ridiculously stupid,” said McNesby.

The picture was followed up by another post from salters account. It says “There are numerous crooked and corrupted cops (mostly white) & mostly they harass, beat or kill innocents(mostly blacks).” The account does not indicate that salters works with the fire department but he is seen in several pictures wearing his paramedic uniform.

No one answered the door at Salters home and he didn’t respond to messages from Fox 29.

But once Fox 29’s Chris O’Connell started asking questions another post appeared on Salters Facebook page.

This one was an apology. It read:

“That post was out of anger of what is going on around the world (Mike Brown, Eric Garner & etc.) & past experiences that I’ve had with police. My intention was not to slander or hurt anyone or my brothers in blue. Again I am sorry.”

Still some say Marcell should be disciplined.

“You don’t want to see anybody lose their jobs especially around the holidays. But if the charge of stupidity was in their handbook he’d probably get a life sentence,” said McNesby.

It’s not clear whether the post violated the department’s social media policy.

But the mayor’s office says if true, the posts are obviously disturbing and calls for an explanation.