Officer seen on video flipping off protesters before Trump-Biden debate, Ohio cops say

A police officer seen on video flipping off Black Lives Matter protesters in Cleveland before the presidential debate Tuesday is on leave, Ohio police say.

The police officer from Shaker Heights, who was part of a security team for the debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, flashed the obscene gesture at protesters, officials say. The officer was immediately removed from the security detail, police say.

The Shaker Heights Police Department said Wednesday the officer is on administrative leave, and the investigation is ongoing.

“The Shaker Heights Police Department unequivocally supports the right of Black Lives Matter and all demonstrators to peacefully protest,” officials said in a statement. “We explicitly condemn any action by a police officer that interferes with or disrespects the rights of citizens to demonstrate. We are committed to confronting and rooting out unprofessional and inappropriate behavior within our department, and pledge to move as swiftly as possible in this case.”

Videos show the police officer driving a van in a group of law enforcement vehicles flip off protesters as they drove by.

Black Lives Matter Cleveland organizer Kareem Henton criticized the officer, Cleveland.com reported.

“That shows that he does not see those people as citizens that he is supposed to be out there to protect,” Henton told the news outlet. “He drew his line in the sand.”

The Cleveland Police Department described the protests as “mostly lawful and peaceful” with no major incidents. Police had arrested four people as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, officials said.