The Los Angeles Fire Department has experienced a series of "divisive" workplace incidents in recent months, including at least one debate between firefighters over protests by NFL players, according to a letter to the agency's employees.
In a two-page letter posted Friday, Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas said his agency has experienced "on-duty heated discussions regarding the perception of a lack of patriotism by NFL players" who have kneeled during the national anthem. In a separate incident, firefighters from different ethnic backgrounds had a "near physical altercation" after someone showed up late to work, Terrazas wrote. In yet another, the department received complaints about "a perceived lack of sensitivity" toward non-white firefighters during an investigation.