Daily BrewSexist comments from Toronto firefighters at centre of latest Twitter controversy
Two Toronto firefighters have been suspended over hyper-sexist comments the pair made on Twitter. Which is a shame, because things have been going so well for public service workers lately.
The Canadian Press reports that Matt Bowman and Lawaun Edwards were have been benched as Toronto Fire officials investigate the matter.
The investigation surrounds now-deleted (or otherwise unavailable) comments on Twitter that appeared derogatory toward women and in support of physical abuse.
Some of the tweets, first reported by the National Post, read:
"Reject a woman and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind. Also weak arms." - @Hero_Matt (now disabled)
"@deansomerset would swat her in the back of the head been considered abuse or a way to reset the brain?" - @Bassfire3680 (now private)
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Some of the tweets may have been in reference to quotes from television shows, a possibility Chief Jim Sales left open at a Thursday press conference.
"If we have a problem we need to do more," he told reporters, adding that Toronto Fire would do more to teach its members the city's social media policy.
[ Political Points: Columnist slams Canadian firefighters over high salaries ]
This news comes on the heels of another concerning social media-related story, in which a Durham Regional Police officer is being investigation for attacking the province's ombudsman online.
Ombudsman Andre Marin alleged that a Twitter account that hurled insults at him in the hours before he announced an investigation into the shooting of Sammy Yatim belonged to an active constable.
At last check, that officer was being investigated and could face disciplinary action.
It is important to remember that Twitter is a public place. Comments made there have led to firings, investigations and arrests. Posting something to Twitter is like shouting something from the street corner. And when you are a public employee, paid by taxpayers, it is more like shouting something from the steps of City Hall.
It is a shame that these individual instances mar the success Canadian fire and police departments have had with social media. In many cases, Twitter and Facebook have been used to successfully break down barriers between those in uniform and those they protect.
In Ottawa, Const. Pete McKenna was recently lauded for a successful night of live tweeting from the 911 communications centre.
By making jokes, answering questions and offering unique insight, McKenna offered a rare look into police operations.
Instances like this happen more often than you'd think. Sadly, so do the bad ones.
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