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By Janelle Griffith
A white detroit police officer who posted a Snapchat video mocking a black motorist after the outbreak of a roadside check.
Chief of Police James Craig announced the dismissal of 18-year-old veteran of the 18-year-old police force, Gary Steele, on Wednesday.
"The former police officer Steele has lost the confidence of those he has served and can no longer provide police services in our city," said Craig. "The measures taken by former police officer Steele have not only had a negative impact on our community, but also on the people of this great country."
Steele and his former partner, officer Michael Garrison, were suspended earlier this month after screening the video showing Steele mocking the black driver arrested by agents on Jan. 29 in the west. from Detroit. Steele was also demoted from corporal rank.
Ariel Moore was driving with an expired license plate and her car was seized by officers at the stop.
The video then surfaced on Steele's Snapchat account showing him saying "priceless" and "good-bye, Felicia" as Moore walked home. The caption on the Snapchat tags read: "What does the magic of the black girl look like" and "Celebrate Black History Month".
Garrison would have been heard on the video saying "walk of shame".
The Detroit Police Officer Association did not immediately postpone NBC News's request for comment on Thursday.
An investigation after the incident revealed other cases of Steele making disparaging remarks about blacks, Craig said at the press conference.
The investigators discovered "terms that he used repeatedly, such as" Keisha "," Jakes "and" homies ", all of which were pejorative, demoralizing and degrading, and yes, insensitive to race in the context in which they were used, "he said. .
He also stated that Steele knowingly made false statements in interviews with the Internal Affairs Division.
Craig said he has received innumerable calls, letters, emails and Facebook messages about the incident.
He read aloud part of the letter from a New York resident who, he says, captured "the essence of the disdain that so many people had" towards the agent about the reports.
"Obviously, this is not the kind of temperament that a police officer should have in this area," the letter says. "What is even more frightening is that this man has been doing this work for more than 18 years.This raises the question of how many other people have been humiliated, humiliated and ridiculed by a man who was supposed to respect, maintain and respect the law and the order. "
Steele and Garrison could be subject to criminal charges once the administrative investigations are completed, Craig said.
Steele should be referred to arbitration, Craig said.
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