Cityscape

Disciplinary Hearing for Detroit Cop behind Racist Post Planned for Next Week

February 18, 2019, 12:43 PM by  Violet Ikonomova

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Detroit Police Chief James Craig

Detroit soon will learn the fate of a white police officer who ridiculed a young black woman on Snapchat after seizing her car during a cold snap late last month.

Police Chief James Craig Monday afternoon told the media that the investigation into Officer Gary Steele will culminate in a disciplinary hearing to be held next Monday or Tuesday at the earliest. That's delayed from an initial target date of this Thursday, due to "other issues that came up" in the investigation, Craig said.

Steele is suspended with pay for mocking Ariel Moore on Snapchat after he ordered her vehicle impounded Jan. 30. In the post, he and his partner, Officer Michael Garrison, can be heard saying "priceless," "walk of shame" and "bye Felicia," as the 23-year-old hoofs it home in subzero temperatures. Steele decorated the post with the stickers "what black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating black history month."

Residents have blasted Craig for his handling of the incident. On Monday a small group of protesters gathered outside Detroit Public Safety Headquarters to demand Steele's removal, chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, Officer Steele has got to go." One woman held a sign that read: "Here’s black girl magic... You’re fired!! Poof." 

Craig has said firing Steele before a full investigation would be premature, warning that the decision could be overturned in union arbitration.

But many have also questioned why Craig has not recommended to the Board of Police Commissioners that Steele be suspended without pay. On Monday, Craig offered the following defense: 

“Technically when we suspend an employee without pay he is still connected to the police department. … The difference with the direction we’re going in now is we’re in midst of a disciplinary hearing, and if the decision is dismissal, then he’s no longer connected with the police department," said Craig.

"So to go through the police commission on a matter that generally is when someone is ... charged with a felony offense … and that’s been the practice more times than not, that didn’t happen in this case.”



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