Janice Holmes, NYPD Commander, Faces Backlash Over Precinct's #BlackLivesMatter Tweet

Tim Drivas Photography/Getty Images

Sydney Scott Feb, 12, 2018

The commanding officer of a Queens NYPD precinct received backlash after the precinct tweeted #BlackLivesMatter in support of Black History Month.

The New York Daily News reports that the tweet, which appeared on the official Twitter feed of the 100th Precinct, celebrated the contributions of Black boxer Jack Johnson, reading, “Jack Johnson became the first African American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title in 1908. #Blacklivesmatter.”

Twitter/NY Daily News

The hashtag was later updated.

Jack Johnson became the first African American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title in 1908. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/LBI8zNQoZe
— NYPD 100th Precinct (@NYPD100Pct) February 10, 2018

Deputy Inspector Janice Holmes, whose image appears in the precincts profile photos, faced backlash after the tweet was shared. Still, others came forward to defend Black Lives Matter.

How can a precinct commander lead people when she aligns herself with a group that is known to hate law enforcement and wants police officers dead?
— Daniel L. McCaughan ❌ (@DanMcCaughan) February 10, 2018

It was nothing wrong with the previous post. This is black history month and the reason why we have this month set aside for us is because for so long in this country black lives have not mattered. #blacklivematter
— Cerone Anderson (@Enorec) February 10, 2018

I hate that the original tweet was removed. #BlackLivesMatter is against police CORRUPTION and wants officers to be held accountable for their crimes against the community. It is not anti-police, unless you’re suggesting all cops are corrupt. 🤔
— Angelo Martinez (@angelomartinez) February 10, 2018

A source told NY Daily News that Holmes, the first Black commander of her precinct, quickly made clear to superiors that she was not the one who shared the tweet and requested that it be removed.

It’s unlikely that she or the person who shared the tweet will face any departmental charges.