[dropcap size=big]V[/dropcap]eteran assistant commanding officer Cory Palka did almost everything right last Tuesday when protestors surprised the Mayor and peacefully demonstrated outside of his mansion in Hancock Park.
Palka told L.A. Taco that he “redistributed officers” and removed their batons. He took a knee several times in solidarity with community members and at one moment had his officers back up 20 feet to give protestors more space. As if that wasn’t enough, he also directed a police helicopter to gain elevation during a speech going on so that the speaker can be heard loud and clear.
Then a video of him flashing the “OK” sign surfaced, a hand-gesture that has recently been associated with white power, after wrapping up an interview with a reporter. The interaction alarmed some folks on social media despite the fact that many people that are not associated with white supremacy use the hand gesture for other purposes, including people of color.
In reaction to the video, officer Palka told L.A. Taco, “I was waving goodbye to a videographer. I had NEVER been aware of that association to a hate group. NEVER. My assistant brought it to my attention after the Twitter alert.”
The controversy over the OK symbol is relatively new. White supremacists appropriated the hand gesture to be a symbol for White nationalism first reportedly as a joke. Last week, an NYPD officer was caught on video using the hand gesture and they’re currently under investigation by the attorney general. Polka is 56 years old and a 36-year veteran with the LAPD.