White Detroit police officer fired for shouting ‘Bye Felicia’ as he filmed Black woman walking home in the snow
The policeman had first been demoted in the controversy, but an investigation found that he had made disparaging remarks about Blacks in the past
A Detroit police officer who sparked outrage after posting an insensitive Snapchat video of a Black woman freezing in the cold during a traffic stop, has now been fired.
According to the Detroit Free Press, on Wednesday, during a press conference posted on Facebook, Police Chief James Craig explained that 11 of 24 allegations against former officer Gary Steele were introduced during a chief’s hearing last week ultimately leading to his termination.
READ MORE: White Detroit police officer demoted for Snapchat video taunting Black woman
Earlier this month, Steele, who is a veteran policeman shared a racially insensitive video after pulling over Ariel Moore on Detroit’s west side for an expired license plate tag and impounding her car.
Once Moore was told to exit the vehicle so it could be towed, she was offered a ride to her home but declined. The 23-year-old instead chose to walk a block home in below-freezing weather. That’s when the officer decided to poke fun at her plight and start filming her.
In Steele’s video the young woman can be seen walking away as one of the officers mocks her and says she is doing the “walk of shame.” Making the ill advised video even worse is the fact that stickers were added to the footage that read, “What black girl magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month.”
After receiving complaints, the department retrieved the video on January 30 and an internal investigation was launched on Feb.1. Chief Craig said 55 department personnel were interviewed in the investigation.
READ MORE: ‘Bye, Felicia’: Detroit cop posts racist Snapchat video mocking Black woman in freezing cold temps
Detroit Police officer Gary Steele gets demoted after posting a video of a black woman walking in below-freezing temperatures after seizing her car. In the Snapchat video, he posted stickers over the images, “What black girl magic looks like” & “celebrating Black History Month.” pic.twitter.com/lbKHuYSJQo
— Elite Global Football (@Todaysloop1) February 2, 2019
Officer Steele was investigated for the social media post incident along with improper characterization of community members and knowingly making false statements in interviews during the investigation. Craig also admitted that investigators found other cases of Steele making disparaging comments about Black people in the past.
“When these kinds of things happen it does tend to erode the trust,” admitted the Chief, which is why an environmental audit, surveying the work environment in the precinct, is currently taking place.
Steele’s partner has been suspended without pay pending a hearing next week. He could also be fired.
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NEW… @detroitpolice Chief James Craig announces the termination of officer Gary Steele who had posted a video mocking a woman in a racially insensitive manner. Steele's partner in the 6th Precinct, who remains unidentified, also remains under investigation. Updates @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/ThPimi1ixT
— Jon Hewett (@JonHewettWWJ) February 27, 2019
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