PEORIA, Ill. – Local leaders aren’t necessarily happy with a Peoria Police social media ad taken down almost as quickly as it went up, referencing the allegedly-violent video game “Call of Duty.”
The ad was to be used as a recruiting tool for Peoria Police, but outcry resulted in Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria apologizing.
One of those who disagreed with the ad’s posting is Peoria Mayor Rita Ali.
“It sent the wrong message, and the public picked up on it instantly,” said Ali, to 25 News. “This is what we want the public to do. If they see something they feel is inappropriate, that is wrong, communicate it. And, that’s what they did.”
NAACP Peoria chapter president Marvin Hightower tells 25 News he agrees the ad sent the wrong message.
“It gives that connotation, and something we were working hard not to have here, and something that we’ve been working hard, and continue to work hard, to take away that ‘us against them. It’s not a war. We are all part of the community,” said Hightower.
Hightower says the use of such an ad can unravel all the good the police have done improving community relations.
Police chief Eric Echevarria apologized for the ad, saying the mistake was on him, and that before using other ads in the future, he’ll keep the community in mind.
This ad was re-posted after the other ad was taken down.
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