ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Buena Park City officials let go of a volunteer chaplain who was with the city’s police department since 1998 after finding social media posts he reposted or liked that characterized Muslim people as violent.
Pastor Don Harbert was released from his position on Jan. 28.
The news comes after city officials reviewed his social media posts and found he made “broad characterizations portraying Muslims as violent” and shared “demonstrably false and misleading claims,” according to a statement posted by Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut.
“Such conduct is inconsistent with the neutrality, trust and respect required of individuals serving in city-affiliated public safety and ceremonial roles,” his statement said.
Harbert posted about his removal on social media on Saturday, Feb. 28.
“I was honored to be selected by the Cypress College Americana Foundation as the Buena Park Citizen of the Year. I was scheduled to receive recognition from the Buena Park City Council on February 10, 2026; however, this event has been postponed,” he wrote. “On Wednesday, January 28, at 9:30 a.m., I was called to meet with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Interim Police Chief. During this meeting, I was informed that the City Council had decided to relieve me of my duties as a Chaplain for the Buena Park Police Department due to a post made on my Facebook page, which they deemed to be hate speech.”