The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department faced backlash this week after a social media post expressing sympathy for victims of bombings in Iran sparked outrage. The post came just a day after the U.S. military targeted three nuclear sites in Iran, raising concerns about the appropriateness of the message.
On Sunday, the department shared a statement on platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, saying their “hearts go out” to the Iranian “victims.” This message quickly drew criticism from various quarters, leading the department to delete the original tweet and modify its Facebook and Instagram posts to remove references to Iran and the initial sentiment.
The original post included a message of condolence for victims and families affected by the bombings, stating that the department was monitoring the situation alongside local, state, and federal partners. However, after receiving significant pushback, the department issued an apology, calling the initial message “offensive and inappropriate.”
The edited versions of the posts now focus on monitoring the situation overseas without mentioning Iran or expressing sympathy. In their apology, the sheriff’s department clarified that the post was made in error and did not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the department as a whole.
As part of their response, the department announced an internal review to understand how the posts were created and published. They also emphasized their commitment to enhancing social media oversight protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights the sensitive nature of public statements from law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding international events and conflicts. The sheriff’s department reiterated that their primary mission is to ensure public safety and serve the diverse communities within Los Angeles County.