'I Can't Breathe' Display In Alexandria Police Cruiser Investigated

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A display inside an Alexandria police cruiser with a pig wearing an "I Can't Breathe" shirt has prompted a city investigation.

The video of the display was released by ALX Accountability, a citizen watchdog page that records videos of interactions with local government employees. In the police cruiser's passenger seat, the video showed a pig wearing a mask and shirt stating "I Can't Breathe," a reference to what police brutality victims like Eric Garner and George Floyd said before their deaths. The statement is often associated with the Black Lives Matter movement's call for action against police brutality.

The video did not show a police officer inside the cruiser in question. A police officer in a separate vehicle removes the display but does not identify the police officer whose cruiser had the display.

As the police cruiser display was reported by ALX Now, city government released a statement saying the display was under investigation. The city's statement did not say whether an officer was responsible for the display or the intent of the message.

"The City of Alexandria Police Department and City leadership are aware of an officer’s cruiser that contained potentially offensive materials," said Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon and Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes in a joint statement. "We apologize for the nature of this material. We honor the public trust by serving with integrity, civility, impartiality, and by holding ourselves accountable when we do not."

The police department will respond to the investigation with "personnel accountability procedures," according to the city.