Tennessee Police Warn Speeders With Photo Of Cop Pointing AT-4 At The Road

A tongue-in-cheek Facebook post by a Tennessee police department has created a wave of controversy. The Loretto Police Department shared a photo of one of their officers kneeling next to his police cruiser and pointing an AT-4 rocket launcher at the road. 

Speeders beware. We recently acquired this surplus AT-4 and will be strictly enforcing the 45 mph zone in town. Here we see Officer Thomas set up on North Military Street. The versatility of the AT-4 allows for hit and run tactics on all our roadways. (Do not take this post seriously.)

The post, which was clearly meant as a joke, quickly went viral with many people slamming the photo, while others had no issue with it. 

People who found the image distasteful argued that it was wrong to joke about using lethal force on people for speeding, with one commenter saying that it was "sad that joking about murdering civilians is your best strategy to engage the public."

Meanwhile, others thought the post was funny and didn't take it seriously.

I enjoy your posts I think it shows your real people like us serving and protecting Keep up the good work and keep on keeping it real there will always be naysayers stick your fingers in your ears scroll on by have a great day

The department responded to the outcry in a separate post and explained that the rocket launcher was not functional and belonged to one of their officers. 

First, the AT-4 is inert or spent. It is a display only and cannot be loaded or used to fire the rocket. It is the property of a fellow officer and was used with his permission. It is our understanding these can be purchased by anyone at military surplus store that carry them.

Second, we need to address the idea that we are advocating murdering our citizens. Anyone that is familiar with our small town as the officers who protect it know this could not be more false.


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