A police department in Alabama has apologized after a photo was posted of two officers posing next to a "homeless quilt" made from cardboard panhandling signs.
The photo was put on the Facebook page of one of the officers with the caption:
"Wanna wish everybody in 4th precinct a Merry Christmas, especially our captain. Hope you enjoy our homeless quilt! Sincerely, Panhandler patrol."
Police Chief Lawrence Batiste of the Mobile Police Department wrote an apology on the station's Facebook page calling the photo insensitive.
"Although we do not condone panhandling and must enforce the city ordinances that limit panhandling, it is never our intent or desire as a police department to make light of those who find themselves in a homeless state...Rather, our position has always been to partner with community service providers to help those faced with homelessness with hope to improve their quality of life."
No word yet though on what if any punishment the officers may face.