LAFD Investigating Captain’s Vaccine Rant

Posted by: Curt Varone August 24, 2021 0

A Los Angeles City fire captain is under investigation for a social media rant about the city’s new COVID19 vaccine mandate. Captain Cristian Granucci posted the video on YouTube yesterday condemning the city for enacting it and the union for being in “lockstep with total tyranny.”

Last week the Los Angeles City Council enacted an ordinance requiring city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by early October. The vote was 13-0, and includes exemptions for employees with medical conditions or “sincerely held religious beliefs.” The ordinance awaits Mayor Eric Garcetti’s signature.

Captain Granucci posted the video wearing LAFD apparel and apparently while on duty. The department’s Professional Standards Division is investigating.

This case involves the intersection of at least two policies, digital imagery and social media. The posting would have violated both of our recommended policies. Our next digital imagery program is September 22, 2021. Our next social media program is October 13, 2021.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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