Off-duty officers may not volunteer as security guards during Sunday's Miami Dolphins game against the Jets.
The Dade Police Benevolent Association says some of its officers may choose not to sign up for the Off-Duty Dolphins Security Detail because of some players' decision to "disrespect" U.S. law enforcement and protest the national anthem.
The long-running debate garnered extra attention in September when President Trump said the NFL protesters should be fired by team owners, citing they disrespect the flag.
"If the players are allowed to disrespect America. If they can choose to disrespect law enforcement, then law enforcement has the right to decide if they want to protect these players," John Rivera, the president of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association told NBC 6. "We as a union stand behind our members."
In a statement to Miami-Dade police officers, Rivera said: "working the game, or not working the game, is a personal choice and has at the very least the same level of freedom these 'entertainers' claim to express."
"The irony of all this is that they disrespect the very officers that are there to protect them, the team owners and the property they own. But, then again, hypocrisy seems to be rampant these days," Rivera added.
About 300 Officers usually work the detail. At this time, it is not clear how many volunteer off-duty officers will boycott Sunday's game.
The Dolphins and Miami-Dade police do expect the game to be fully staffed.