Phillip White.jpg

Phillip White (submitted photo)

(Submitted Photo)

Facebook comments from the public that were critical of the Vineland Police Department's role in the death of Phillip White, who died in custody on March 31, are now being shown on the department's page after being subjected to scrutiny under the Open Public Records Act, according to a report.

The Press of Atlantic City reported that some comments were blocked or removed from the page. However, on Friday the department made all posts visible after an activist filed a request under the Open Public Records Act, the report said.

"Their Facebook page is a public record," Harry B. Scheeler told the Press. "Police and governments are subject to criticism of the people. They don't have a right to censor the people."

Two of the police officers involved in White's arrest have been placed on administrative leave after White became unresponsive on the way to the hospital and was pronounced dead. In cell phone video that shows part of the incident on Grape Street -- where they were called to respond to a man "freaking out" -- one of the officers is seen punching White in the head as he sat on him and commanded his K-9 to "get him" and "hold." One of the officers can also be heard saying White tried to grab his gun during the incident.

The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office is investigating White's death, but the chief of Vineland's police department has defended his officers actions.

On the department's official Facebook page, they warn that comments will be removed if they don't comply with their posting guidelines. Some of those include no graphic, obscene or racial comments; no threats; no advertisements; no personal information such as emails or numbers; no encouraging illegal activity and others.

The Press, which said it obtained copies of some of the original comments, noted that it did not appear the deleted comments violated any of the guidelines.

On most of the department's posts appearing on its Facebook page -- and in response to comments and critical questions posted by the public -- they post their own comment telling readers to review their policy and report posts they find unacceptable directly to Facebook.

Many comments critical of the police department -- that are visible on their Facebook page -- can be seen below.