Ski Mask Photo Meant As A Joke Ends A South Carolina Officer’s Career After His Disrespectful Views On Black People

A sheriff’s office in South Carolina swiftly terminated a deputy due to a racially insensitive social media post made while on duty.As reported by The Post and Courier, a Spartanburg County deputy was photographed in a ski mask from his patrol vehicle, captioning the image with “To find a YN, you must be a YN.” The acronym “YN” references a derogatory term aimed at Black individuals.Sheriff Bill Rhyne, recently appointed leader of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the deputy’s dismissal on November 20, ending his five-year career. Rhyne emphasized that such conduct is intolerable, stating, “What we do in uniform reflects on every person in this agency.”Rhyne further explained that the deputy breached policies that prohibit discrediting behavior and posting ethnically derogatory content online. He declined to disclose the platform used or the deputy’s identity, citing the need for sensitivity towards family notifications. The deputy's law enforcement certification is expected to be revoked by the Criminal Justice Academy.