Summary

The Pearl Police Department in Mississippi hired Jeremy Rast, a former Richland officer fired in June for telling a Latino man on video to “go back to Mexico” and making other derogatory comments.

Despite apologizing for his remarks, Rast’s firing was intended to uphold community trust. Pearl’s announcement of his hiring drew backlash, with many reacting angrily online.

The hire follows national debates on immigration, coinciding with new deportation priorities under Donald Trump’s second presidency.

Pearl disabled comments on the controversial Facebook post welcoming Rast.