HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department on Friday fired officer Ashley Gonzalez after a video circulated online showing her making racist comments about Black people, prompting an internal investigation and public backlash.
The department said in a social media statement that it terminated Gonzalez’s employment and reaffirmed its standards for officer conduct.
HPD placed Gonzalez on paid leave earlier in the week after announcing the investigation into the video, which shows a woman making repeated derogatory remarks and using racial slurs.
The video drew criticism from elected officials, activists, and organizations, including the NAACP Houston chapter, which called for her dismissal.
Civil rights activists Candice Matthews and Quanell X led a protest Friday outside police headquarters, urging the department to take action.
In a statement, Matthews said the video demonstrated unacceptable conduct from a public official.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said Gonzalez’s actions violated department standards and had no place in law enforcement.
Gonzalez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.