Miami FL Oct 24 2017 Florida police officers upset by NFL players kneeling during the national anthem responded by reducing the amount of security Sunday at a Miami Dolphins game.

The number of off-duty officers working the event was about a third less than usual, Dade County Police Benevolent Association President John Rivera told the Miami Herald.

Rather than 400 officers, just 270 were expected to help maintain order as the New York Jets played the home team.

As of Friday, only 175 officers had volunteered to work the game, requiring some officers to be forced into working. Those who worked will be paid overtime.

“This whole movement started against police officers,” Rivera told CBS News. “And now it’s morphed into disrespecting the flag and the country.”

Officers elsewhere in the country have pushed back on players’ kneeling protests against police brutality, which began with former San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick kneeling in 2016, before President Trump triggered more widespread protests in September by calling on NFL owners to fire any “son of a bitch” who didn’t stand for the national anthem.

Last month, Cleveland police officers refused to hold the American flag during pregame ceremonies due to the controversy.

Washington Examiner

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