ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police officer is accused of not standing during the national anthem while on duty, according to sources familiar with an internal affairs investigation.
Channel 9’s Shannon Butler was told the officer sat during the national anthem, someone complained and now there’s an internal affairs investigation.
Read: NFL player says he will ‘be done with football’ if required to stand for national anthem
The officer is under investigation because the Orlando Police Department has a full-page policy requiring officers to stand for the national anthem while on duty.
Sources told WFTV officer Ossie Battle was on duty at the dragon boat races when he refused to stand.
The national anthem played at the start of the event. Someone saw Battle sitting down and when they asked him to stand, he declined, sources said.
Sources said a member of OPD filed the official complaint against Battle after learning about the incident.
The Orlando Police Department would not confirm the officer’s name and could not talk about allegations pending investigation.
“While wearing the uniform of this Department, whether on or off duty and when on duty in civilian attire, members will render the proper respect to the United States Flag. Uniformed members will face, stand at attention and salute the flag,” OPD policy states.
Read: Goodell: NFL not changing its national anthem policy
Sources said Battle said he did not stand in protest.
Kneeling during the national anthem as a protest started with quarterback Colin Kaepernick protesting against police brutality.
Watch: Roger Goodell Wants NFL Players To Stand During Anthem
Battle has had several excessive force complaints in the last five years.
Last year, Battle was cleared of excessive force allegations after a man claimed he threw him to the ground during a traffic stop in 2014.
Battle is currently the subject of a $4.5 million lawsuit filed by a woman who claims Battle threw her down and broke her leg.
Cox Media Group
