One veteran police officer from San Jose, California, is leaving the force over the city’s vaccine requirements, representing just one of many first responders who are facing the same fate.
“First of all, it’s my religious belief. I also believe I’ve been given a choice about what to do with my body,” Sgt. David Gutierrez, who is leaving the San Jose Police Department, said.
According to NBC Bay Area, Gutierrez “spent 23 years with the San Jose Police Department before retiring in 2019 and returning as a reserve officer.”
“He said he could have stayed on if he could have continued to test for the virus weekly,” the outlet reported:
This photo of San Jose reserve officer Dave Gutierrez was taken on his last day on the job.He says he resigned because of San Jose’s new vaccine mandate requiring all city employees show proof of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption. Gutierrez is not vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/vqvo7LkDhb
— Marianne Favro (@mariannefavro) September 21, 2021
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Gutierrez on Monday sent a letter to the city manager expressing his concerns over the city’s vaccine mandate requiring employees show proof of vaccination or get a medical exemption. Employees that are unable to show either would face disciplinary action, including termination.
“Disciplinary action is when you have done something wrong,” Gutierrez said. “I have done nothing wrong — by making a choice not to be vaccinated why would you be disciplined?”
The city’s vaccination policy requires … (Read more)
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This photo of San Jose reserve officer Dave Gutierrez was taken on his last day on the job.He says he resigned because of San Jose’s new vaccine mandate requiring all city employees show proof of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption. Gutierrez is not vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/vqvo7LkDhb
— Marianne Favro (@mariannefavro) September 21, 2021
