Officer loses job over social media post

A Jefferson City man who apparently took part in a social media movement with corrections personnel in other states no longer works for the Missouri Department of Corrections, according to a statement from the department.

An officer with Corrections, Chandiwira Beza, apparently participated in the “Feeling Cute” social media challenge, in which he posted a photo of himself and wrote “A little something for the ladies. Feeling Cute. Might take your homeboy to the hole later.”

In an email to the News Tribune, Corrections Communications Director Karen Pojmann said: “This officer is no longer employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections. His behavior reflects neither the expectations set by the department, nor the example set by the thousands of corrections staff who conduct themselves with professionalism every day while working hard to keep Missourians safe. The department strives to cultivate a culture of respect and will not tolerate harassment, discrimination or unprofessional conduct.”

The Washington Post reported Thursday similar social media posts (mostly on Facebook) were found in multiple states and that four states have initiated investigations into the movement.