A San Francisco fire department lieutenant is under investigation after he made comments online cheering a federal immigration operation in Oakland and saying he wanted more immigrants deported.
Lt. David Waters, who has been with the San Francisco Fire Department for more than a decade, commented on a November story about a West Oakland immigration operation with a GIF reading “Gotta catch ‘em all!”
The phrase is a reference to Pokémon, and Waters’ GIF featured a smiling Pikachu pumping his fist.
The story referred to a Nov. 19 incident in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle reportedly totaled a pregnant woman’s car after a high-speed chase to pursue a man who had tried to “flee” from agents.
The woman was unharmed. The man had reportedly dropped off a child, either his child or grandchild, at an elementary school when ICE targeted him for arrest.
After Waters’ initial comment on SFGate’s Instagram post of the story, a user wrote it “would be a shame” if people called the fire department “letting them know what a racist they have working for them.”
Waters then replied: “how am I racist for wanting illegals deported?”
He also said “no one is being ‘kidnapped’ how is it wrong?” and “You don’t get to enter a country illegally then complain when you’re told to leave or detained and forced to leave!”
The posts and Waters’ Instagram profile were deleted hours after Mission Local asked the fire department for comment on Sunday evening. Waters’ LinkedIn, which previously listed him as a “lieutenant with the San Francisco Fire Department,” said he was in “landscape photography.” His face had been scrubbed from it.
A “David Waters” was listed in the San Francisco Fire Department’s payroll as far back as 2009. His most recent salary was $319,625.98 — $264,773.96 in pay and the rest in benefits, according to Transparent California.
The fire department is investigating the incident.
“The San Francisco Fire Department is aware of the social media comments made by an off-duty employee and is taking the matter seriously,” Lt. Mariano Elias wrote in a statement.
Elias said the comments “do not reflect the values and principles of the San Francisco Fire Department,” which is committed to “protect and serve all members of the community, regardless of their background or immigration status.”
“We value diversity, equity and inclusion, and we do not tolerate behavior that promotes hate or discrimination,” Elias wrote. “We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, which may include disciplinary measures, to ensure that our values and policies are upheld.”
Waters did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
The collective faux outrage from people upset that this idiot is being investigated don’t seem to understand why – it’s not that he has a first amendment right that is being violated… it’s that San Francisco employees, (I am one), are expected to follow local laws – including our city’s Sanctuary Ordinance. Employees who cheer on ICE’s truly repugnant behavior chasing law abiding Brown people and causing severe harm while trying to kidnap them should be investigated to determine whether they follow city law. That’s all. If this entitled white dude with some serious misconceptions about the immigration system follows Sanctuary policy and other city laws and policies, then I’m sure the investigation will terminate. But if not, then he should be held accountable because believe it or not, our employers have the right to expect us to follow the policies of the employer, whether we like them or not.
I’m sick of people equating basic accountability as to matter of privilege with some sort of punishment. Example: Justice Kavanaugh. No one was saying he should get convicted of sexual assault for what he did to Christine Blasey Ford decades later – we were saying he maybe shouldn’t get a certain job. Same thing here – no one thinks fire department racist should go to jail for his opinions but maybe he’s not entitled to represent the city or hold a city job? For all you tech peoples – if you start rabidly posting about how AI is the devil maybe your tech company won’t want you to represent them?
The city and it’s employees are supposed to represent ALL the legal residents of the city, not just the ones who share your left wing ideology. Does expressing a personal opinion violate any SF laws? If not, then what is the grounds for an investigation?
When did you apply for legal residence in SF before moving here? Of your friends who were not born in SF, please tell us when they applied to the City for legal residence in SF.
An overpaid firefighter voicing an unpopular opinion and “being investigated” for it isn’t ‘violating’ the Sanctuary Ordinance, and I cannot see how he would be in a position to do so anyway. While he’s ignorant, and yet supportive of, what ICE is doing, you further label him as a racist without basis in fact or evidence.
The gist of this whole drama is in the article; “ Elias said the comments “do not reflect the values and principles of the San Francisco Fire Department,” which is committed to “protect and serve all members of the community, regardless of their background or immigration status.”
People who are appalled at Trump firing federal employees based upon whether they are perceived political enemies, and not becomes of whether they are good at their jobs, should not be cheering for this individual’s dismissal. Without agreeing with his views, he should still be free to exercise his First Amendment rights without having his public employment terminated.
So if you don’t agree with liberals you need to be silenced and removed from your job? Who are the real fascists here?
to Send them Back: Line jumpers: ? you heard of Melania, right?
Also, the American Indian Movement is forming their own immigration services and guess what, you are the second on the list after GIGI…
Yes, I have heard of Melania, assuming you mean Melania Trump. Do you have a point? If so, it’s probably a first.
What a gross way to bully a person for exercising their right to comment and their freedom of speech. Blasting their job for what purpose? There was no mention of race anywhere but you’re thirsty for a moment of fame. Perhaps you need to change your X profile picture, do you even know what a pupusa is? Or what it means to some Latin Americans, it can be an offensive and derogatory term yet you’re using it as your profile picture. So you have rights but others don’t. In my opinion your journalism is defamatory and offensive. Perhaps you are being racist.
This article is why journalists are losing respect. I expect better than reading how a person who has the right to express an opinion is being bullied and his job used as a form of retaliation. Maybe I missed the horrible journalism here, but I don’t see where this person is a racist or made a racist comment. In every country immigration laws exists . When these laws are broken, there are consequences, deportation is one of them. Try overstaying or finding work in another country without any legal documentation and see how it goes. If in fact this person is a fireman, my sincerest gratitude for a job very few are brave to do. Bullying and gossip journalism is disgusting. Trying to ruin someone’s career or reputation because you don’t agree with their constitutional right to free speech is the opposite of what true journalism is about.
Mr Waters let me know if you need legal representation, I know very good lawyers that fight for the rights of free speech and violation of personal rights for All!
Now is against the law to comment with a gif that says catch ‘em all? If you’re an undocumented person, committing crimes in this or any country then you should get caught. What a ridiculous article, so does Barros go around spying on people’s comments in SF Gate and looking up their work sites? How pathetic! And why is this being investigated by the fire dept? Instead of wasting time and energy on this, how about the fire dept actually start supporting and defending your first responders. There was nothing said that violated any sort of standard or discrimination or racism. I’m sure some of you would not jump into a burning building because you’re too busy harrasing others. You can’t even comment on immigration issues without being called a racist or a nazi, or going to the extremes of damaging someone’s job and family. Shane! Be a better person!
While I disagree with Mr. Walter’s comment about deporting all illegal immigrants, he certainly has the right to say that without being investigated by the fire department or being called a racist.
Tarring someone as a “racist” because they disagree with you happens way too often, and to the point where the word loses its meaning.
The leftist grievance machine is now scraping under the bottom of the barrel
You care who scrapes the vomit out of your mouth and then blows their breath into your lungs ?
I was a firefighter for 5 years and saw one avowed racist do that to a black baby.
Politics go out the window when the bell rings.
I suspect this guy wouldn’t ask for the immigration status of the victims of personal disaster he’s called to save while he’s on duty.
I married 3 marvelous foreign born ladies, by the way.
They all made me a better person.
The last one lasted for 7 years and she was a professor who inspired me to finally finish college at 50 and another is a big cog in the government of Australia’s film sponsorship grants.
At 81, is it wisdom or my failing cognitive abilities that make me want to take down every border in the World !
go Niners !!
(Game is on but I don’t have that application and wait until an hour after they’re older and then watch the entire thing in 15 minutes with no commercials or announcers.)
h.
Reminds me of when the sfpd started trying to crack down on uses of force that were “lawful but awful.”
To Factoverfeelings: the American Indian Movement is forming their own immigration services and guess what, you are the third on the list after Gigi and send them back..start rehearsing your manners, you are going back to Europe…
City employee. I guess you missed the first amendment portion of your law school education. I too am a city employee. We’re instructed that we have no obligation to assist or cooperate with ICE but cannot break any laws in that process. Nor can any other citizen of this country legally do so. You are obviously not a lawyer and if you are are a disgrace to your profession
Gigi, a city employer is not forbidden from privately expressing political preferences.
Another nazi goon working for the wrong department.
To GIGI: the American Indian Movement is forming their own immigration services and guess what, you are the first on the list..
Which City department should he be working for? You label him a ‘Nazi goon’? The investigation here is based on mood, feelings and ‘values’; “We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, which may include disciplinary measures, to ensure that our values and policies are upheld.”
If he violated a policy, that should be made clear, and dealt with accordingly. The rest is fluff.
I support him 100%.
If you actually know any legal immigrants, you’ll know that they don’t support line jumpers.
This man followed the rules and not only became legally able to work here, but is doing a job that helps others. He is one of the new Americans we need.