Police threaten to boycott San Francisco 49ers games

A US police union has said officers may boycott working at games for the San Francisco 49ers if the American football team does not discipline star quarterback Colin Kaepernick for refusing to stand during the national anthem and his statements about police treatment of African Americans.

A letter from the Santa Clara Police Officers Association to the 49ers said the protest by Kaepernick had “threatened our harmonious working relationship” with the 49ers. About 70 officers from the Santa Clara Police Department patrol Levi’s Stadium when the 49ers play there.

“If the 49ers organisation fails to take action to stop this type of inappropriate behaviour it could result in police officers choosing not to work at your facilities,” the letter reads. “The board of directors of the Santa Clara Police Officer’s Association has a duty to protect its members and work to make all of their working environments free of harassing behaviour.”

It also criticised what it called antipolice statements made by Kaepernick, calling them “insulting, inaccurate and completely unsupported by any facts.”

The quarterback has refused to stand for the anthem at the team’s pre-season games, citing racial injustice and police brutality among the many reasons for his protest. The 49ers said that they stand behind Kaepernick and respect his right not to participate in celebrating the national anthem.