Local

Gainesville 'hot cop' resigns after anti-Semitic comments

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A Gainesville police officer who was dubbed a "hot cop" and gained national attention during Hurricane Irma has resigned from the police department.

Officer Michael Hamill resigned from the department Dec. 6 when he was scheduled to appear for an internal affairs interview.

Hamill was under two investigations for possible anti-Semitic statements made on his personal Facebook account in August and another concerning sexual relations while on duty, police said.

Police were notified of the possible anti-Semitic posts in September and investigators said the posts were made before Hamill worked at the department.

Both allegations would have been sustained with a possible recommendation of up to termination, police said.

“The Gainesville Police Department takes matters of officer misconduct extremely seriously,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Additionally, GPD has been working with the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.

"All new recruits will tour this museum prior to being sworn in as a Gainesville Police Officer.

“The Gainesville Police Department continues to demand a culture of understanding and respect for all persons that we serve.”