People Are Still Mad About Pride Month Decal on Oregon State Police Cruiser

It’s been almost a month now and people are still riled up about that, Oregon Live reports. The decision to show open support for Pride Month led to one senior trooper being fired (with the Agency confirming it this week) and a couple of sanctions, following troopers’ derogatory comments about the gays and the new decal on the cruiser.

Despite honest efforts from Superintendent Travis Hampton to explain the open support for Pride Month, the decision remains controversial – and a single look at the comments on the official Facebook or Instagram page of OSP will reveal that. If the Agency aims to get political, it should show support for every group out there, from the veterans to the Jews, many commenters say. Not that it should ever get involved in politics since it’s a state institution, paid for with taxpayers’ money. And taxpayers don’t want gay decals on police cars.

According to Oregon Live, Peter Arnautov was let go from his job after taking offensive jabs at the gays and the new decal. On Facebook, a secret group made up of retired troopers is still discussing the “stupid” decision, which is seen as a sign that the Agency is doing its best to seem “woke” by adhering to a popular cause.

As Hampton sees it, members of the LGBTQ community remain sure targets of bullying and violence, while showing total reluctance of reaching out to OSP for help or employment. The temporary decal was a means to show them that they are heard and seen.

“I hear from OSP employees that feel there is a bias against this group that impacts our ability to be an attractive employer and influences the way we transfer to choice assignments or promote,” Hampton said. “This is a single car, for a single month that will be used in community outreach events to show we are not only an inclusive employer but a police agency that takes citizen crime reporting and welfare seriously.”