Muslim Police Chief Anita Najiy refuses to cover her heart for the National Anthem

Miami’s top police union representative is facing backlash from the city’s oldest black police organization after he called for a reprimand against Assistant Chief of Police Anita Najiy and questioned her Muslim faith when she failed to salute the American flag.

“I had false hopes that the [Miami Police Department] would address the issue at hand. Assistant Chief Najiy practices in the Muslim faith. The MPD apparently is afraid to address this,” Fraternal Order of Police President Javier Ortiz told reporters Wednesday. “In the United States, you have the right to practice any religion and say whatever you want off-duty. When you’re in your police uniform, you are to be neutral.”

Last Monday, Mr. Ortiz fired off a letter to Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes asking that Ms. Najiy be removed as commander of the department’s Honor Guard after he captured a video during a ceremony last week that showed the assistant chief standing at attention with her arms at her side during the Pledge of Allegiance at a ceremony last week, the Miami Herald reported.

Mr. Ortiz cited a section of the police department’s code of conduct that allows for punishment if proper attention isn’t given during a flag ceremony. The police department defended Ms. Najiy, and explained that when it comes to the Honor Guard, the city code takes a back seat to U.S. military code, which calls for personnel to face the flag and stand at attention during indoor ceremonies, the Miami Herald reported.

Miami Police Maj. Delrish Moss said the assistant chief was simply following protocol and that not saluting the flag had nothing to do with her personal beliefs, the Miami Herald reported.

The Miami Community Police Benevolent Association, which describes itself as an advocacy group for black police officers, rebuked Mr. Ortiz for questioning Ms. Najiy’s faith, saying it constituted racism.