A Springfield police officer has been placed on unpaid leave after allegedly posting racist and anti-semitic posts on social media.
Springfield opened an investigation after online reports identified officer Aaron Paul Nichols, 46, as the person responsible for racist and anti-Semitic postings on multiple social media forums.
Nichols' Racist, Anti-Semitic Social Media Posts
The website Anonymous Comrades Collective, which describes itself as "dedicated to exposing Nazis, racists, and fascists" shared a series of posts made by accounts reportedly belonging to the nearly 20-year veteran of the Springfield police force on Gab – a social media network that champions free speech and is known for its far-right userbase.
In his posts, made from accounts with the name "WeWillWin" and "MagicDirtFarmer," Nichols not only praised Hitler but also disparaged Jews and people of color. In one post, Nichols said the convicted vigilante killers of Ahmaud Arbery "did nothing wrong" and were only charged "because of Jews."
Arbery's killing made national news almost two years ago after a cellphone video showed the 25-year-old unarmed Black man being gunned down by three white men in Brunswick, Georgia. His killers were sentenced to life in prison earlier this month, after having been convicted of his murder in November 2021.
Longtime Springfield IL, racist police officer Aaron P. Nichols believes that the convicted vigilante killers of Ahmaud Arbery "did nothing wrong" and were only charged "because of Jews." pic.twitter.com/Zc18BYOUFL
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
He even disparages African-Americans and his posts include the use of derogatory terms and racial slurs:
Springfield, IL police officer Aaron P. Nichols' social media posts about policing are filled with racist slurs. He references the racist trope of "coal burners" and calls the public he serves "n*ggers," 'blaqs," "trash hominids," and the "coonmunity." pic.twitter.com/hxMfeuj6sJ
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
In another post, he expressed reverence for Hitler saying "he did nothing wrong" and that he was "the most maligned man in history."
Springfield, Illinois police office Aaron P. Nichols is an actual bonafide Nazi who thinks Adolf Hitler is "the most maligned man in history." pic.twitter.com/6DPY3FQyV4
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
Nichols has also claimed he knows "where the Jews live" and has made violent threats against Jews time and again. Here are some of the posts:
Springield IL, Nazi police officer Aaron Paul Nichols makes violent threats against Jews: "THESE DIRTY jew SUPREMACISTS WILL RUE THE DAY THEY MADE ME NOTICE." pic.twitter.com/IWuqxtljvz
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
Springfield, IL police officer Aaron P. Nichols is a virulent antisemite. pic.twitter.com/xJ5Yr4oClQ
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
Springfield, IL Police officer Aaron Paul Nichols implies a terrible fate looming for Jewish people, "This will not end well for jews." He is threatening violence against Jews.
— Anonymous Comrade Stan Account (@AnonCommieStan) April 1, 2022
"You're not ready for what's coming."
"They deserve everything that's coming." pic.twitter.com/lsudBp0eP6
Springfield Police Department Launches Investigation, Officer Placed on Leave
"The Springfield Police Department was made aware of comments reportedly posted to social media by an officer using a personal profile," Police Chief Ken Scarlette said in a statement Friday afternoon. "Upon receiving this information, the Department immediately launched an internal investigation."
The officer has since been placed on unpaid administrative leave and his police powers removed.
Scarlette's statement went on to say the department "does not condone the use of racist comments by any of our officers, at any time. Statements like this erode civilian trust and confidence in our department and are not tolerated. The views allegedly expressed by the officer do not align with our oath, or the mission and philosophy of the Springfield Police Department and in no way reflect the views of the over 200 officers within our department."
