Union: Las Cruces firefighter disciplined for violating policy, not because photo shows breastfeeding

ABC-7 is learning more about why a Las Cruces firefighter is facing disciplinary actions after a photo of his wife breastfeeding while in his uniform surfaced online.

An El Paso photographer first posted the photo on her Facebook page. It’s since gained national attention, even being featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine.

The president of the LCFD union says the firefighter is being disciplined, not because his wife is breastfeeding in his uniform, but because he violated department policy.

The policy states, “LCFD personnel shall not authorize any party to use photographs or any depictions for the purpose of promoting or endorsing a product or service without written permission from the fire chief or his designee.Such items include, but are not limited to: LCFD uniforms,badges,patches andstations and facilities.”

The LCFD union president said since the photo was posted on a professional photographer’s Facebook page, it violated this policy. He summarized it as: “pushing a cause or making a profit” with out consent.

The firefighter won’t be suspended or terminated over the photo. But the union plans to appeal the disciplinary action suggested by the department, through a “grievance process.”

The El Paso photographer who took the photo tells ABC-7 if she knew she or the firefighter were breaking policy, she would have never posted the photo on social media. Shealso says the photo was for her own personal use.

The union president says the highest form of discipline the firefighter can face is a written reprimand. He did not know how long the appeal process will take. He added while they still believe disciplinary action should be taken, they want to make sure it is fair.

At no time was the firefighter’s wife misrepresenting herself as a firefighter.