Pennsylvania cop is fired after saying black people 'cannot take care of their own or anyone else without playing the race card' in email to mayor and local media

A Pennsylvania cop has been fired after saying black people 'cannot take care of their own or anyone else without playing the race card' and that 'to say BLM and not all lives matter is racist' in a shocking email to the local mayor and media.  

Erie Police Sergeant Jeff Annunziata, 62, was told to hand over his badge and gun Thursday after he sent the 'racist and derogatory' email to Erie Mayor Joe Schember and local news reporters. 

Annunziata, a 34-year veteran of the force, blasted what he called 'unnecessary movements' and said banning the display of the Confederate flag is a violation of the First Amendment in the scathing memo. 

He also laid into journalists over their reporting of the current civil unrest and made unsubstantiated claims that BLM is working with Antifa and that George Soros and The Clinton foundation are funding both the racial equality movement and the far-left group.

Erie Police Sergeant Jeff Annunziata, 62, (pictured in 2006) was fired Thursday after he sent the 'racist and derogatory' email to Erie Mayor Joe Schember and local news reporters

Schember announced Annunziata was fired from his position on the force in a press conference Thursday. 

'Sgt. Jeff Annunziata sent an email to members of the media containing racist and derogatory statements,' Schember said. 

'I condemn these statements. I am appalled and disgusted by the racial insensitivity of this email.'  

Police Chief Dan Spizarny, also speaking at the conference, said he was 'sickened' by the veteran cop's email. 

He said he had immediately suspended Annunziata after the email came to light and it emerged he had sent it from his city account.

'I speak for the command staff when I say that we are all sickened by the language of Mr. Annunziata,' Spizarny said. 

Ed Betza, the city's solicitor, said Annunziata was not working when he sent the email and said the cop has 10 days to challenge the decision.  

Annunziata sent the shocking email at around 7 p.m. Monday to Schember and four Erie Times-News reporters, Erie Times-News reported Thursday. 

In the rambling email, the chief traffic investigator for Erie police defended his profession saying it was 'minute numbers' who have killed black men and slammed protesters over the ongoing civil unrest, following the Memorial Day killing of black man George Floyd at the hands of a white cop. 

Schember announced Annunziata was fired from his position on the force in a press conference Thursday (pictured). In the scathing email Annunziata blasted 'unnecessary movements' and said banning the display of the Confederate flag is a First Amendment violation

'Why are the facts ignored about the killing in this country and how small, the minute numbers of Police officers that kill a black man in the line of duty?... What gives the protesters the right to cause damage and disobey public order?' he began.

Annunziata then accused minorities of not taking 'care of their own' and for 'playing the race card'.

'Minorities (BLACK PEOPLE) talk of SOCIAL JUSTICE when they cannot take care of their own or anyone else with out playing the race card, why?' he wrote. 

The cop said though he wants 'to see equality', he believes that 'to say BLM and not all lives matter is racist' and that people should kneel after and not during the national anthem. 

He blasted 'the destruction of this countries history in the SOUTH AND OTHER STATES' and said banning the display of the Confederate flag - widely associated with racism and hate crimes - is a First Amendment violation.  

Annunziata also made several inflammatory claims about the Black Lives Matter movement for which there are no evidence. 

'BLM is know to have attached itself with ANTIFA WHY? why is the Dem party with the likes of backers like George Soros & the Clinton foundation who are funding BLM & Antifa why?' he wrote.  

Annunziata also leveled his anger toward the media, saying journalists should be reporting on cops injured in the line of duty and on the 'vandalism of National monuments' not 'unnecessary movements'.

Police Chief Dan Spizarny, also speaking at the conference (above), said he was 'sickened' by the veteran cop's email. Annunziata accused minorities of not taking 'care of their own' and for 'playing the race card'

'You as reporters have a responsibility to report the whole story not the part you want to report for your own satisfaction and that of unnecessary movements,' he wrote.  

He mentioned the death of Erie officer Richard Burchick in 1991 who he says 'was murdered by a black man' but did not spark protests in the city. 

Annunziata ended his highly emotional email insisting most cops try to avoid confrontation.

'[We] look for a peaceful resolution, but when we are confronted with dissension, weapons of all kinds and argument we have a job to do and hopefully with peaceful result,' he wrote. 

Annunziata, who according to city records earned an annual base pay of $103,631, signed off the email 'citizen, taxpayer and police officer'. 

The scathing email was sent hours after the mayor announced that another Erie cop was suspended for three days and ordered to take sensitivity training after they kicked a peaceful protester. 

Police officers across the country have come under fire in recent weeks after some have been caught on camera violently attacking protesters demanding an end to police brutality and systemic racism in the wake of Floyd's death. 

Calls are mounting for widespread police reforms and, in some cases, the altogether defunding of local forces. 

ERIE COP JEFF ANNUNZIATA'S EMAIL IN FULL:

People,

Why are the facts ignored about the killing in this country and how small, the minute numbers of Police officers that kill a black man in the line of duty? Why is the fact that the officer in Minnesota are paying for their lack of judgement ? What gives the protesters the right to cause damage and disobey public order? 

Minorities (BLACK PEOPLE) talk of SOCIAL JUSTICE when they cannot take care of their own or anyone else with out playing the race card, why? I see this all the time and many well know people of color agree with this, but are subsequently called Uncle Tom. All I want to see is equality also, but watch the reverse that has taken hold here in this country with the destruction of this countries history in the SOUTH AND OTHER STATES. 

Right or wrong it is the History of this Country. Why do you reporters not comment on the Destruction and Vandalism of National monuments WHY? I am glad I am a police officer in this city because we have adapted to change and how to treat people in the community. Those other communities need to adapt but it is not going to happen with rioting, looting and destruction of your neighborhoods and cities. 

Why is it that reporters do not report on the officers in this city that were injured trying to protect what people have built. You as reporters have a responsibility to report the whole story not the part you want to report for your own satisfaction and that of unnecessary movements. 

BLM is know to have attached itself with ANTIFA WHY? why is the Dem party with the likes of backers like George Soros & the Clinton foundation who are funding BLM & Antifa why? 

To say BLM and not all lives matter is racist, to stop a confederate flag from waving is a violation of the first amendment, why is this ignored. 

What about police lives that are killed in this country, why was there no protest when my friend and brother officer Richard Burchick was murdered by a black man? Why is the murder of retired ST. Louis Police Captain (Black Cop David Dorn) murdered and there was no protest for him, he was killed by a young black male? 48 officers were killed in felonious acts in 2019, where is the protest for their deaths? 

Why is it important to kneel during the anthem when if they did this immediately after, I believe it would be widely accepted and participated in even by the fans. The protest is right and just, the timing has been dictated by the media. 

Mr. mayor how many officers need to be hurt before you speak out about the what is going on, this issue affects us all. The 'deep state' media, reporters are responsible and the 'radical' liberal politicians are right behind them. Their argument serves no purpose but perpetuates the problem because they show the problem but do not offer solutions, fair solutions we can all agree on. Remember we as police interact when we are called upon for help, and sometimes things get out of hand because

People do not understand compliance. There is not one police officer that I have met around the country that seeks out controversy instead of an agreement NOT ONE. 

I have been around the country talking to police officer in my 34+ years career, we always look for a peaceful resolution, but when we are confronted with dissension, weapons of all kinds and argument we have a job to do and hopefully with peaceful results. 

As we know this does not happen when a law is broken and the suspect or citizen does not understand what they have done, was done wrong and against the law.

Jeff Annunziata citizen, taxpayer and police officer.