The Baltimore Police Department is investigating a photograph that purports to show a sign inside of a police van making light of the death of a man in police custody in April, according to multiple reports.
Photos shared with WBAL-TV in Baltimore show the sign on the inside door of a van that states, “Enjoy your ride, cuz we sure will!.”
That’s a reference to the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died in police custody from a severe spinal injury. Baltimore City’ State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has filed criminal charges against six officers who transported Gray and said that he was injured because officers did not buckle him in correctly and refused his calls for help.
“The nature and the posting of wording in one of our transport vehicles is both concerning and unacceptable,” the department said in a statement to WBAL.
“We have recently become aware of the wording and have begun an internal investigation to determine all the circumstances surrounding its placement and to identify the person or persons responsible for its posting. This is an incident that is being taken very seriously.”
Gray’s death sparked massive protests and some violent riots in Baltimore over the rash of fatal altercations between black men and white police officers across the country.