The Hoover Police Department has been posting "Throwback Thursday" images on Facebook since 2017. This week's photo was an image of Chief Nick Derzis playing golf with Michael Jordan in 1994. The post was up for a few hours before it was deleted, apparently at the direction of Mayor Frank Brocato, who is facing a primary challenge from Derzis.
"Seeing that picture brought back memories of a special day, it wasn't political in any way, nor should it have been. Someone ought to ask the mayor why he was so bothered by it that he made the department take it down," Derzis said in a written statement to 1819 News, confirming what sources told 1819 News, that the image was taken down at Brocato's request.
1819 News reached out to Brocato late Thursday evening, asking him why he had the post removed and if he had given guidance to city staff to no longer post images of him on their social media pages as well.
The image caught the attention of WVTM 13, which ran a segment on it, discussing Jordan and his brief baseball career. Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1994 and ultimately played for the Birmingham Barons, the White Sox's Double-A affiliate.
Although the original post has been deleted, Hoover Police Department's community relations officer, Brian Hale, shared the post on a local Facebook Page, a copy of which was provided to 1819 News, and it shows the broken link. Hale has not returned a request for comment from 1819 News.
The caption on his post was simple: "Chief (then Lieutenant) Nick Derzis with Michael Jordan at the Bruno's Memorial Classic. #CommunityPolicing"
According to the Police Department's Facebook page, the department has posted 176 images to its Throwback Thursday album.
"This album gives you a small glimpse into the history of the City and the Police Department," the description reads.
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