California Police Officer Resigns After 29 Years, Citing COVID Vaccination Policy

A A California police officer who has served the city of San Jose for nearly three decades has announced his resignation following the city’s mandate to vaccinate all city employees.

“First and foremost, it’s my religious belief. I also believe I was given the choice of what to do with my body,” said Sgt. said David Gutierrez.

The 29-year veteran of the San Jose Police Department said he tendered his resignation before the city’s Sept. 30 deadline for all city employees to be fully immunized.

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“I’m not anti-vaccine. I don’t tell people, ‘You shouldn’t have it.’ But when it comes to my body, it’s my choice on what I want to put in my body, ”said Gutierrez.

The San Jose Police Department’s vaccination rate rose from 82% to 85%, and Mayor Sam Liccardo said the strategy was working well.

“It is certainly for the protection of the individual members of our municipal team,” Liccardo said. “But it’s also, critically, for the safety of our entire community because we know, of course, that first responders interact. [with citizens] everyday.”

Gutierrez has worked as a homicide detective, internal affairs investigator, patrol supervisor and reserve officer during his career, KPIX reported.

According to the police association, up to 150 police officers in San José could risk losing their jobs due to their immunization status.

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“If they let go of the police who have been here for five years, 10 years, 15 years, you can hire someone else, but you won’t hire that experience, however,” he said.

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Key words: News, Police, San Jose, California, Vaccination, Coronavirus

Original author: Luc Gentile

Original location: California Police Officer Resigns After 29 Years, Citing COVID Vaccination Policy