03042008 - Officer Gary Steele - Detroit PD - Facing Life In Prison For OIDV Assault Against Ex-Girlfriend [Torture; Assault w/intent to commit murder; Assault w/intent to do great bodily harm less than murder; 2 counts felonious assault w/a dangerous weapon; weapons / firearm discharge in or at a building; Felony firearm]
06232009 - Officer Gary Steele - Sentenced - Formerly Facing Possible Life Sentence For Domestic Violence Assault - Sentenced To 1 Year Probation [Misdemeanor reckless use of firearms] AND Then Put Back On Duty - Detroit PD
05312018 - Officer Gary Steele - Video Of Steele Breaking Arm of Elaine Murriel During Arrest - Detroit PD
01312019 - Officer Gary Steele - Detroit PD - Posted Racist Video On SnapChat Mocking Ariel Moore After Traffic Stop
02272019 - Officer Gary Steele - Fired For Posting Racial Video Of Traffic Stop - Detroit PD
04252019 - Officer Gary Steele - Lawsuit Filed Against Steele/Detroit PD - Racist SnapChat Video Of Ariel Moore During Traffic Stop
04252019 - Officer Gary Steele - Lawsuit Filed Against Steele/Detroit PD - Elaine Murriel's Arm Broken During Arrest
64 Detroit police officers criminally charged since 2016
Numbers dwarf Dallas, Atlanta, San Antonio
Channel 7 News - WXYZ Detroit
January 21, 2019
https://www.wxyz.com/news/64-detroit-police-officers-criminally-charged-since-2016
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Sixty-four Detroit police officers have been charged criminally since 2016, a 7 Action News investigation has found.
The charges, which include both on and off duty conduct, dwarf similarly sized or larger departments that track charges and include alcohol related offenses, theft, assault and drug trafficking, among others.
“This is an alarming number, and we should all be concerned,” said Willie Bell, the chairman of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners. “That is extremely high for any department.”
Some of the recent high profile charges include:
-Detroit Police officers Anthony Careathers, Jamil Martin, Charles Wills, James Robertson and Marty Tutt who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Detroit towing companies, part of a wider federal probe into public corruption.
-Officer Edward Hicks, charged with assault over for punching Deonta Stewart in the face multiple times, causing significant injury. Hicks was sentenced to 18 months probation.
-Officer Lonnie Wade, charged with the assault of 24-year-old David Bivins while working security for a Detroit Meijer. Wade wrongly suspected Bivins of shoplifting, and cell phone video showed him striking Bivins repeatedly with his baton. Wade pleaded no contest to assault.
Bivins, in an interview with 7 Action News, said he grew up wanting to be a police officer, but changed his mind after his encounter with Officer Wade.
“After you see how corrupt, something that you idolized is, do you really want to continue doing it?” Bivins said.
In 2017, attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Detroit on Bivins’ behalf.
“There’s no explanation that Detroit should be so far disproportionate to other cities with comparable and even larger police forces,” said Fieger.
It was hard to find a department with numbers approaching Detroit’s. During the same time period, the Atlanta Police Department reported only 33 officers charged. In San Antonio, the department saw 17 officers charged, as did Dallas—a department with some 600 officers more than Detroit. Las Vegas police report only one officer being criminally charged since 2016, but a spokesman said the department doesn't track off-duty charges.
Of departments that track charges against officers, only Baltimore, currently under federal oversight, reported more charges: 76.
“Our screening process isn’t what it should be, and our supervision isn’t what it should be,” Fieger said.
Chief James Craig doesn’t make an excuse for any of the charges—and points out that most of charged officers were referred to prosecutors by his office.
He says it’s a sign that the department is holding itself accountable and stresses that these officers’ alleged conduct doesn’t represent the vast majority of the department.
“But it does represent the alleged conduct of 64 cops, and that’s not a small number,” said Channel 7’s Ross Jones.
“It’s not a small number,” Craig said. “Certainly not an excuse, but our officers probably face more trauma, exposed to more trauma than places I’ve worked.”
In some instances, Craig says, trauma may have triggered the alleged criminal behavior. Three of the 64 officers, he says, were involved in high-profile shootings, later self-medicated with alcohol and were charged with alcohol-related crimes.
Craig said the stress of the job doesn’t excuse their poor judgment, but it might help explain it.
“We figure with the number of police officers (charged) we have in that time period, it represents about 2.3, 2.4%.” Craig said. “(It’s) high, but here is the positive side of that…people in this organization are saying we don’t tolerate it.”
Today, David Bivins lawsuit against the city continues. Two years since he was beaten, he said he's yet to receive an apology.
"They’re real bad at apologizing," said his attorney, Geoffrey Fieger. "I have yet to have a case where the police who’ve been accused of wrongdoing apologizes."
Social media post shows Detroit officer making racist comments about African-American pulled over
WXYZ News - Detroit
January 30, 2019
We're exposing a social media post that has sparked an internal investigation into a Detroit police officer. Comments made in that post are being called racist by a woman pulled over and told to leave her car and walk home in below freezing weather.
DETROIT (WXYZ) — We're exposing a social media post that has sparked an internal investigation into a Detroit police officer. Comments made in that post are being called racist by a woman pulled over and told to leave her car and walk home in below freezing weather.
Detroit police are calling the behavior of one of their own completely inappropriate and problematic. They're now launching an internal affairs investigation over what took place during a traffic stop.
Take a close look at this video temporarily posted to social media site Snapchat following a Detroit police traffic stop near Joy Road and Stout Tuesday night.
Listen closely as the officer makes a few condescending remarks toward an African-American girl he has instructed to walk home in the cold. We've confirmed she was pulled over for having expired license tabs.
Notice in the upper left corner of the screen the officer shared his Snapchat name. Detroit police confirm his real name is Gary Steele. The man seen in this public LinkedIn page.
We showed this video to Ariel Moore, the young woman who was videotaped on a cell phone, and her mother, Monique Mobley. They're now sharing their outrage over his words and captions that read "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month."
Also disturbing is officer Steel's prior trouble with the law. Prosecutor charged him with physically attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun next to her head back in 2008. the incident in Canton ended with Steel taking a misdemeanor plea deal for probation and staying on the force. He's declined to speak with 7 Action News since we brought the video to the attention of DPD.
We've confirmed that the officer is restricted from working in the field for now. We'll stay on top of this to make sure the officer is held accountable.
Chief 'angry' after 'racially insensitive' Snapchat from Detroit officer who had woman's car towed
James Craig says officer has been reassigned from precinct
Click On Detroit
January 31, 2019
DETROIT – Detroit police Chief James Craig said he's not troubled, he's angry about an officer who posted a "racially insensitive" Snapchat after having a woman's car towed because of expired registration.
Craig held a news conference at 1 p.m. Thursday to address the incident.
'Racially insensitive post'
He said an 18 1/2-year veteran of the force pulled over a driver because of expired registration and made the call to tow the vehicle.
The officer had a right to make that stop, according to Craig. He said the driver wasn't happy about being stopped and towed on such a cold night.
Afterward, the officer is accused of making a Snapchat post about the woman and including the comment, "Bye, Felicia." Craig said that's a derogatory reference to Black History Month.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm troubled," Craig said. "I'm going to tell you I'm angry. This incident is absolutely not reflective (of the department). This is not acceptable."
Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home, but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
Officer reassigned, de-appointed from rank
Craig said the police officer was hired before his tenure and has a troubled past with the department. He said the officer's previous incidents would have been handled differently if he were in charge at the time.
"He has a troubling history," Craig said. "When I look at his background and the seriousness of what he was charged with, my question is, 'What did the department do?' I can't go back in time and address that issue. It's my issue now, but it does raise a lot of questions for me, especially when you look at his prior conduct."
Since the incident, the officer has been reassigned from the Sixth Precinct until the internal investigation is completed. He was also de-appointed from the rank of corporal, Craig said.
"I think after reviewing his history, without going into details of that at this point, there is a pattern, and I'm concerned about that pattern," Craig said. "That's something I'll be looking at and addressing, as well."
Craig said the officer has been with the police force for 18 1/2 years, making him a tenured employee who should know better. He is also involved with training other officers, Craig said.
The chief said his officer's rights will be respected during the investigation, but that he "absolutely" has concerns about the officer's ability to protect the community in a fair and balanced manner, which is what led to him being reassigned.
Craig said the officer will not have any contact with the public until the investigation concludes.
"That's not what we expect of our police officers," Craig said. "This officer will be held accountable for his actions."
The officer's partenr is also part of the investigation, accordin to Craig.
A majority of the Detroit Police Department was troubled by the Snapchat post, and many reached out to Craig to express their concerns, he said.
Punishment could range from a written reprimand to a suspension to termination, Craig said.
Craig called to apologize
Craig said he called the woman's mother and apologized personally for the way her daughter was treated.
"That could have been my daughter," Craig said. "It could have been my sister. It doesn't matter. It could have been anyone's sister. Not acceptable."
Craig said when an officer makes such a poor decision, it reflects poorly on the Detroit Police Department and him as the chief.
He also said the department will be paying for the towing fees. The woman's car is already available for release, according to police.
Relationship between police, community
Craig said the Detroit Police Department has done a good job maintaining trust with the community during a time when many departments across the country struggle to build that relationship.
"I'm not saying we have not had our challenges over that period, but by and large, this department has done an above-average job in fostering trust-based relationships," Craig said.
He said DPD is one of the few departments that doesn't hide from these types of issues and is transparent with the community, even when the topics are difficult.
"Of course, when these kinds of things happen, it does have a tendency to erode the trust," Craig said. "It has an impact on the entire profession."
Craig said the department is going to be very thorough in this investigation, but he wants to make sure it is done as quickly as possible, as the community demands.
"Not acceptable," Craig said. "(I'm) not troubled, not disappointed. I am angry, and I want your viewers, your listeners to know that. This is not what we expect of Detroit police officers."
Former U.S. Attorney Chris Graveline, who has been hired by the Detroit Police Department, shared Craig's thoughts on the incident.
"It's disgusting," Graveline said. "It's clearly racial in overtones. It's not what we expect from officers, and going forward, we're going to do a thorough, impartial investigation, but we intend to move very quickly on it."
‘What black girl magic looks like’: White officer demoted for mocking black woman whose car he impounded
Washington Post
January 31, 2019
Woman in Detroit police officer's 'racially insensitive' Snapchat speaking out
A veteran Detroit police officer has been demoted and reassigned after posting a Snapchat video showing a black woman whose car he had just impounded walking home alone while he and another officer make derogatory remarks about her to each other in the background.
Meanwhile, pre-made captions that say “What black girl magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month” appear at the bottom.
The officer who created the video was identified as Gary Steele. He and his partner had pulled the woman over on Tuesday night because her registration had expired, police said. The officers were going to have her vehicle towed.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters at a news conference Thursday that body camera footage had shown that there was an offer — from either Steele or his partner — to escort her home. The woman refused, Craig said.
“She gets to do that, but we get to make sure she gets safely home,” Craig said. “But then to put up this insensitive post makes me angry.”
The Snapchat video, which was first published by ABC affiliate WXYZ, shows the woman walking away down a snow-covered street.
“Priceless,” one of the officers says.
“Walk of shame,” the other responds.
“In the cold,” the first one says again. Later one of the two says, “Bye, Felicia.”
The temperature low on Tuesday was 2 degrees in Detroit, according to AccuWeather.
Craig said that Steele, an 18-year veteran of the police department, had been demoted from corporal to officer.
“I’m not troubled, not disappointed; I am angry,” Craig said. “To make the reference to Black History Month is even more problematic.”
Detroit police chief takes action over officer's offensive Snapchat post
Craig said that the department was continuing to look into the incident and that Steele’s partner was also being investigated. Steele did not return a request for comment sent to his LinkedIn profile.
The woman whom the police had stopped was identified by local news outlets as Ariel Moore.
“What they put on there, that’s racist,” her mother, Monique Mobley, told WXYZ. “They demeaned my child for no reason.”
Moore told the outlet she was shocked.
Steele has had issues with the law himself. In 2008, he was charged with attacking an ex-girlfriend and firing a gun near her head, according to the Detroit News. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was able to keep his job at the police department, the newspaper reported.
“His history is troubling,” Craig said. “There’s a pattern, and I’m concerned about that pattern.”
He added: “He’s been a part of the force for 18½ years, who we expect to know better. This is a person who trains new officers.”
Craig said the officer could be suspended or fired. He said he called Moore’s mother to express his concerns about the way her daughter was treated. The department would pay the fee for towing her car, he said.
Another white Detroit police officer made a Snapchat post widely interpreted as racist last year. The video showed him in uniform with the text, “Another night to rangel [sic] up these zoo animals.” That officer, who was still on a probationary period at work, was fired.
Woman in Detroit police officer's 'racially insensitive' Snapchat speaks out
Click On Detroit
January 31, 2019
DETROIT – The actions of a police officer with a troubled past have Detroit police Chief James Craig apologizing.
It all centers around a Snapchat post the officer made shortly after pulling over a young woman.
Craig is blasting the video and said he called the woman in the video and her mother personally to try to make things right.
Ariel Moore's Pontiac is out of the city impound after a Detroit police officer pulled her over this week.
"I gave him a valid driver's license and my registration," Moore said.
Her plates were expired and she didn't have insurance, so Detroit police said Officer Gary Steele and his partner decided to tow her vehicle.
Moore walked home, and officer Steele recorded her leaving and made comments that many deem offensive.
Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
"Walk of shame in the cold. Bye, Felicia," the officer said in the video.
The video was posted with the caption, "What black girl magic looks like." The video also read, "Black History Month."
"Why was any of that even called for? You could have taken my car like you wanted to and went on about your day," Moore said.
Craig launched an internal investigation immediatly and paid to get Moore's vehicle out of the tow lot.
In 2008, Steele took a misdemeanor plea and received probation after being arrested for physically attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun to scare her.
White Detroit Police officer reassigned after taunting young black woman in Snapchat video
Detroit Metro Times
January 31, 2019
A white Detroit Police officer is under internal investigation following a Snapchat video during which the officer can be heard saying "Bye, Felicia" as he records a young black woman walking home in frigid temperatures.
Corporal Gary Steele of Detroit's sixth precinct stopped driver Ariel Moore for expired registration on Tuesday night, near Stout Street and Joy Road on Detroit's west side.
In a Snapchat video posted to Steele's account and obtained by WXYZ-TV, Moore can be seen walking with her back to the camera as two officers take turns saying "priceless" and "walk of shame" with in-app stickers that read "What black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month" posted in the corners. Steele then says "Bye, Felicia" before ending the feed.
"I am angry," Detroit Police Chief James Craig said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "I'm angry because this was a racially insensitive post."
Chief Craig considers Steele's use of "Bye, Felicia" as being "derogatory" and says the inappropriate nod to Black History Month is even more "problematic."
"He has a troubling history," Craig adds, in reference to Steele's 2008 arrest following a domestic attack on his girlfriend during which he fired a gun at her. "His departmental history predates my appointment. It would have been a different outcome if I had been chief."
Details from the press conference show via bodycam footage that Moore was, in fact, offered a ride home just a block away from the traffic stop and declined, something that was not made clear in previous reports.
Chief Craig also shared with reporters that following the incident he called Moore's mother to personally offer an apology and that the department has waived fees associated with the towing of her daughter's car.
Steele has been reassigned and stripped of his corporal ranking, and will continue to be under investigation.
This is not the first Snapchat-related controversy to come out of DPD. In September 2018, white rookie officer Sean Bostwick was terminated after posting a smug uniformed selfie with the caption: "Another night to Rangel (sic) up these zoo animals."
Gary Steele: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Heavy.com
February 01, 2019
1. Gary Steele Is Accused of Using the Phrase ‘Black Girl Magic’ With the Snap
The police chief said it contained the phrase “Bye Felicia.” According to the Metro Times, the video is captioned “walk of shame.”
According to Daily Beast, Steele is accused of driving alongside Moore, “posting videos to his Snapchat with racial taunts like ‘What black girl magic looks like,’ and ‘celebrating Black History Month.'”
The chief said the woman was walking in a cold, dark night. He said that situation could have placed her in harm’s way, although Craig added that the investigators learned from the officer’s body camera that there was an offer made to “escort her home.” She rejected that, he said. Still, said Chief Craig, officers have an obligation “to make sure she gets safely home,” adding that Moore lived about a block away.
2. The Police Chief Says He’s Angry & Described the Snapchat Post as ‘Racially Insensitive’
Chief Craig addresses social media post made by DPD member
Detroit Police Chief Craig thanked the media for “bringing this troubling story to our attention. When these things happen, we prefer that we discover it.”
He said, “I’m angry..I’m angry because this was a racially insensitive post…It was one of our colder days in Detroit.” The chief said that the woman was not happy about being stopped. “Who would be happy on one of the colder winter nights being stopped?” Craig said.
“The officer makes the bad decision to make a Snapchat post,” said the chief. He said “it has ‘Bye Felicia.’ And that’s derogatory, and that’s not what we expect of our police officers.”
“This investigation will be fair,” he said. “Not acceptable….I am angry.” He added: “To make the reference to Black History Month is even more problematic…This officer will be accountable for his actions.”
3. Gary Steele Has Been a Detroit Police Officer for Almost Two Decades
On LinkedIn, Gary Steele writes that he has been a police officer in the City of Detroit for 18 years. His page says he started working for the force in August 2000 and was assigned to the “Special Operations Section.”
Connections endorsed him on LinkedIn for public safety, police, and law enforcement. Some sites have given his name as Gary Steel, but he uses Steele on LinkedIn.
The police chief confirmed in the news conference that the officer had been on the force for 18.5 years, and he described Gary Steele as a “tenured employee” who “knows better” and “trains new officers.” His partner that night is also part of the investigation, said Craig.
4. Steele Was Previously Accused in a Domestic Altercation
Gary Steele has been in trouble with the law before, according to WXYZ. “He has a troubling history,” said the chief, in the news conference. “…I will tell you there would have been a different outcome if I’d been chief during those years…after reviewing his history…there’s a pattern. And I’m concerned about that pattern.”
The Detroit television station reports that he was previously charged with allegedly “physically attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun next to her head back in 2008.”
According to WXYZ, Steele ultimately agreed to a “misdemeanor plea deal for probation and staying on the force.”
5. The Officer Was Recently Honored for His Service
You can see a photo of Gary Steele here from when he was honored for his service by the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.
The police chief says he called Ariel Moore’s mother after the incident was first reported. “Not acceptable,” he repeated. He said he apologized to the mother and that the towing fees were being waived. “We are going to pay for the towing fees,” Craig said.
Steele was named a corporal in 2017.
In September 2018, Chief Craig fired an officer, Sean Bostwick, who was accused of writing on Snapchat, “Another night to Rangel (sic) up these zoo animals.”
Detroit officer demoted for mocking woman on Snapchat after he impounded her car
CNN
February 1, 2019
A Detroit police officer -- who referenced "black girl magic" as he filmed a woman he pulled over walk home in the cold -- has been demoted, the police chief said in a news conference Thursday.
Chief James Craig said the officer, a corporal in the Detroit Police Department, stopped the woman for expired registration. Her vehicle was towed, and as she walked to her home in the cold the officer posted a video on Snapchat saying "Bye Felecia."
The officer did offer her a ride, Craig said, but she declined.
Craig said the officer also made a reference to Black History Month, which he called even more problematic.
The video included a "Celebrate Black History Month" filter, with the caption "What black girl magic looks like," CNN affiliate WXYZ reported.
"What they put on there, that's racist. They're demeaning my child for no reason," Monique Mobley, the woman's mother said.
The chief called the posts racially insensitive and expressed concern for the woman walking in the snow. Michigan's extreme winter weather forced the state's government offices to close Wednesday and Thursday.
The officer is under an internal investigation, but the department has begun moving to penalize him.
"I'm not troubled, I'm not disappointed, I'm angry," Craig said. "This officer will be held accountable for his actions," he said. "We are moving to remove his corporal rank."
According to Craig, the officer had been in the department for 18 years, before Craig was hired as chief. But his history in the department has been troubling, Craig said.
"After reviewing the history, there is a pattern, and I'm concerned about this pattern," Craig said.
Detroit police chief wants to demote cop after Snapchat video
Detroit Free Press
Feb. 1, 2019
The Detroit Police Department is in the national spotlight for a police officer's racially insensitive Snapchat post.
The Snapchat video, first shown on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), subsequently prompted an internal investigation and strong rebuke from Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
In the video, a woman is shown walking away in the cold as police officers appear to seize a silver vehicle.
"Priceless," a voice says.
The filter used on the Snapchat video posted by user "Cpl Steele" is labeled "Celebrating Black History Month" on the upper right corner and says "What Black Girl Magic Looks Like."
"Walk of shame," a voice says.
"In the cold," another responds.
The video ends with the words "Bye, Felicia."
The story since has appeared on CNN and The Washington Post.
Craig addressed the incident during a news conference Thursday and said the officer who posted the video has been on the force for 18½ years and reached the rank of corporal.
In response to what Craig called a "racially insensitive post," the officer has been reassigned from Detroit's 6th Precinct and the department is moving to demote him.
Craig said the officer will not have contact with the public and that his partner is also under investigation.
"Many times when I have to talk about office misconduct, whether it's criminal or not criminal, I always say, 'I'm troubled.' I always say it's not reflective of this police department," Craig said. "Not troubled, not disappointed, I am angry."
The chief also expressed concern that the woman in the video was walking during "one of the colder days in Detroit."
He confirmed that the traffic stop was made because of expired registration, and the officer had the lawful right to tow the vehicle, but he added that he is troubled by what happened after.
"The officer makes the bad decision to make a Snapchat post, and in it ... it has, 'Bye, Felicia,' and that's derogatory and that's not what we expect of our police officers," he said. "And then on top of that, she's walking ... very cold night, it's dark and now in my view, she's in harm's way."
Craig added that they have since learned from body camera footage that an offer was made to escort the woman home — she lives roughly a block away from the stop — but she refused.
The woman in the video has since been identified as Ariel Moore, who spoke to WXYZ-TV with her mother, Monique Mobley.
"I've never had this happen to me in my life, so I'm kind of shocked. Don't really know how to feel right now, still trying to take it in," Moore told the station.
Mobley denounced the video.
"What they put on there, that's racist, like they demeaning my child for no reason," Mobley said to WXYZ-TV.
Craig told media on Thursday that he has since called Mobley and expressed his concern over how her daughter was treated. He added that the police department will be waiving the car's towing fees, and the vehicle is now available for release.
"That could have been my daughter, that could have been my sister. It doesn't matter it could have been anyone's sister," he said.
Craig also announced that former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Graveline will be serving as the new director of the professional standards section and constitutional policing unit for the department.
It's not the first incident of a Detroit police officer getting into trouble for a Snapchat post.
In September, the department fired an officer and opened an investigation into his conduct after a picture he posted to Snapchat with a racially-charged message went viral.
White Detroit officer demoted for Snapchat video taunting black woman he pulled over
CBS News - Detroit
February 01, 2019
Detroit -- A white Detroit police officer has been demoted after posting a Snapchat video in which he made derogatory comments about a black woman. He made the comments after he impounded her car, and as she walked away in the cold.
The video that was posted to Snapchat was first uncovered by Detroit television station WXYZ, who identified the officer as Gary Steele.
Steele and another officer pulled the woman over Tuesday for having an expired registration. They impounded her car and she walked away after turning down an offer to be escorted home, according to Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
Craig said the stop and the tow were both lawful, but the Snapchat video was where the encounter "went bad." The video shows the woman walking away in sub-freezing temperatures -- Detroit's low was 2 degrees Tuesday -- with the captions, "Celebrating Black History Month" and "What black girl magic looks like."
The officers can be heard commenting back and forth, "Priceless," "Walk of shame," "In the cold," and "Bye, Felicia."
Craig said his department launched an internal investigation that could result in anything from a written reprimand to suspension to termination. In the meantime, the 18-year veteran has been demoted from the rank of corporal and re-assigned from his precinct.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm troubled, I'm going to tell you I'm angry," Craig told reporters at a news conference Thursday. "And I'm going to tell you why I'm angry -- I'm angry because this was a racially insensitive post."
WXYZ identified the woman in the video as Ariel Moore.
"I've never had this happen to me in my life, so I'm kind of shocked," the young woman told the station.
Monique Mobley, Moore's mother, denounced the officers involved.
"What they put on there, that's racist," Mobley told WXYZ. "They demeaned my child for no reason."
Craig said he has spoken to Mobley on the phone and apologized. He said the department will pay the fees associated with the towing and impoundment.
Craig also referred to the officer's "troubling history." WXYZ reports the officer was charged in 2008 with physically attacking his ex-girlfriend in Canton and firing a gun near her head. He reportedly took a plea deal on a misdemeanor, received probation and was allowed to stay on the force.
"I think after reviewing his history, there's a pattern there, and I'm concerned about that pattern," Craig said. "That's something I'll be looking into and addressing as well."
Detroit officers who posted stop on social media suspended
Detroit News
February 04, 2019
Two Detroit police officers recorded in a traffic stop using racially charged comments have been suspended following a probe, police Chief James Craig said Monday.
“When we look at a police officer engaging in this kind of behavior, this is not our expectation,” he said during a news conference at Detroit Police Department headquarters. “...It is important for us to swift action in dealing with this kind of behavior."
Officer Gary Steele pulled over Ariel Moore near Joy Road and Stout Street on the city's west side Tuesday for an expired license registration and impounded her vehicle. He watched as Moore, who declined a ride from the officers, walked a block to her home and awaited a tow truck.
Video posted to Steele's Snapchat obtained by WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) shows Moore walking home as he says "priceless" and "bye Felicia" with caption tags that read, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month."
His partner from the department's Sixth Precinct, who has not been identified, was in the vehicle and recorded saying "walk of shame."
The investigation of the officers, who have been suspended with pay, includes determining whether there was a pattern of behavior and if Steele posted a similar Snapchat video in December 2017, Craig said.
"The statements that you saw in the video reflects some other contacts that Officer Steele and his partner had at different times, comments about (a) walk of shame, and certainly some derogatory remarks as it relates to both African-American men and African-American women," the chief said.
Meanwhile, following alleged “cultural issues” at the Sixth Precinct, where the officers were assigned, and concerns raised by colleagues, the department also is conducting an audit.
“While our focus is on these officers, we certainly want to root out any such behavior,” Craig said.
Craig last week said Steele, who has been with the department for 18 years and worked to train other officers, had been reassigned and demoted from his rank as corporal.
The department also paid for Moore to remove her vehicle from the tow yard, and Craig reached out to the woman's family.
"We believe that the way that young lady was treated was inappropriate," he said Monday.
Referencing the department's social media policy, and the firing last year of another officer who posted controversial content, Craig noted that law enforcement personnel are held to a higher measure than others online.
"Because we’re held to a higher standard, if you show a bias in a post of some sort, how can you effectively go out and provide policing to a community?" he said.
Detroit officers who posted stop on social media suspended
Detroit News
February 04, 2019
Two Detroit police officers recorded in a traffic stop using racially charged comments have been suspended following a probe, police Chief James Craig said Monday.
“When we look at a police officer engaging in this kind of behavior, this is not our expectation,” he said during a news conference at Detroit Police Department headquarters. “...It is important for us to swift action in dealing with this kind of behavior."
Officer Gary Steele pulled over Ariel Moore near Joy Road and Stout Street on the city's west side Tuesday for an expired license registration and impounded her vehicle. He watched as Moore, who declined a ride from the officers, walked a block to her home and awaited a tow truck.
Video posted to Steele's Snapchat obtained by WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) shows Moore walking home as he says "priceless" and "bye Felicia" with caption tags that read, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month."
His partner from the department's Sixth Precinct, who has not been identified, was in the vehicle and recorded saying "walk of shame."
The investigation of the officers, who have been suspended with pay, includes determining whether there was a pattern of behavior and if Steele posted a similar Snapchat video in December 2017, Craig said.
"The statements that you saw in the video reflects some other contacts that Officer Steele and his partner had at different times, comments about (a) walk of shame, and certainly some derogatory remarks as it relates to both African-American men and African-American women," the chief said.
Meanwhile, following alleged “cultural issues” at the Sixth Precinct, where the officers were assigned, and concerns raised by colleagues, the department also is conducting an audit.
“While our focus is on these officers, we certainly want to root out any such behavior,” Craig said.
Craig last week said Steele, who has been with the department for 18 years and worked to train other officers, had been reassigned and demoted from his rank as corporal.
The department also paid for Moore to remove her vehicle from the tow yard, and Craig reached out to the woman's family.
"We believe that the way that young lady was treated was inappropriate," he said Monday.
Referencing the department's social media policy, and the firing last year of another officer who posted controversial content, Craig noted that law enforcement personnel are held to a higher measure than others online.
"Because we’re held to a higher standard, if you show a bias in a post of some sort, how can you effectively go out and provide policing to a community?" he said.
Detroit Police Officer under investigation after racist and sexist Snapchat post
FOX 2 News - Detroit
February 4, 2019
(FOX 2) - The Detroit Police Chief is addressing claims of racism after a video surfaces of a traffic stop.
Many are calling a Snapchat post published by a Detroit Officer racist and sexist. The cop was eventually demoted from the post, but the Chief is still upset.
“Not acceptable,” said Chief Craig. “I’m not troubled. I’m not disappointed. I am angry,”
Police say on Tuesday night, Corporal Gary Steel pulled over a young woman named Ariel Moore for an expired plate on Stout street near Joy road on the city’s west side.
After pulling her over, Steel asked the woman to get out because he was going to tow her vehicle.
“Where it goes bad was when the officer makes the bad decision to make a Snapchat post,” said Chief Craig.
Police say Moore was then forced to walk back to her home, which was a block away in extremely cold temperatures. Steele then posted the video of the woman walking with the caption “What black girl magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month”.
On Thursday, Chief Craig said he launched an internal investigation and won’t tolerate posts like this.
“On top of that, she’s walking on a very cold night, it’s dark and now in my view, she’s at harm’s way,” said Craig.
Steel who works at the 6th Precinct has been at the department for over 18-years and has even trained other officers.
“This is not what we expect from Detroit Police Officers,” said Chief Craig.
Record show Steel has been charged in 2008 for brutally attacking and torturing his girlfriend. Sources say several years before that, Steele also shot at a car for stopping while he was directing traffic.
These past incidents have now made Craig question past leadership.
“His history is troubling,” said Chief Craig. “I think after reviewing his history there’s a pattern and I am concerned about that pattern.”
Craig says his only comfort now is that more and more officers are reporting their peers and even their superiors. Steele’s partner will be investigated as well.
Detroit police officials investigate allegations of second racist video by officer
Detroit News
February 04, 2019
A white Detroit police officer who was suspended Monday for posting a racially-charged Snapchat video allegedly made a similar video in 2017 in which he mocked a black family as they carried their Christmas presents home after their vehicle was impounded, police officials said.
Gary Steele and Michael Garrison were suspended with pay Monday after Steele allegedly posted a video on Snapchat last week showing the events of a Jan. 29 traffic stop on Detroit's west side. Steele and his partner Garrison, who work in the Sixth Precinct, are allegedly heard on the video mocking the woman they'd pulled over.
The officers stopped motorist Ariel Moore near Joy Road and Stout and cited her for having an expired registration, police officials aid. Her vehicle was ordered impounded.
After Moore declined the officers' offer to drive her to her nearby home, Steele videoed her as she walked away, saying "priceless" and "bye Felicia," according to the video, first aired by WXYZ (Channel 7).
Garrison is heard on the video saying "walk of shame," Detroit police chief James Craig said. When Steele later posted the video to Snapchat, he added the captions, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month," Craig said.
Craig initially reassigned Steele after hearing about the video and launching an internal investigation. On Monday, the chief suspended both officers with pay, as required by the union contract.
The City Charter mandates the police chief must get permission from the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners to suspend an officer without pay. It was unclear whether Craig would ask the board to approve unpaid suspensions for the two cops.
During the internal affairs investigation into last week's video, Craig said allegations surfaced about another racially-insensitive video Steele allegedly posted to Snapchat during the holidays in 2017.
Craig said after the story about last week's video surfaced, a former Detroit police officer posted on social media about the alleged 2017 video.
"On the heels of the incident last week, an officer posted in a private Facebook group 'if you think this was bad, the Christmas incident was even worse than that,'" the chief said. "We tracked down the officer, and found he is now working for another law enforcement agency.
"When we reached out to him, he indicated that (Steele) had impounded a car during Christmas two years ago," Craig said. "The kids had gifts, and while the kids were walking home carrying their gifts, (Steele) supposedly made another Snapchat video saying 'walk of shame' and other racially-insensitive remarks."
Craig said investigators are trying to verify the claim. He said he also plans to call Steele in so internal affairs investigators can interview him about the allegation.
During a press conference Monday, Craig said police also are conducting an "environmental audit" after police officers made allegations of “cultural issues” at the Sixth Precinct, where Steele and his partner were assigned.
“While our focus is on these officers, we certainly want to root out any such behavior,” Craig said during the press conference at Public Safety Headquarters.
The department paid for Moore to remove her vehicle from the tow yard, and Craig said he reached out to the woman's family to discuss the incident.
Steele was charged in 2008 with beating his ex-girlfriend and firing a pistol near her head in Canton Township. He was charged with several crimes, including torture and felonious assault, but pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor, and served a year of probation.
Garrison also has had a checkered career. In 2015, he was suspended for 60 days for shooting deer in Rouge Park while on duty. He was also among a group of officers who were sued in 2006 and accused of wrongfully stopping and harassing a 15-year-old boy. The city settled the case.
In recent years, there have been several instances of Detroit police officers posting inappropriate social media messages. In 2011, the department issued a directive ordering officers to refrain from posting possibly embarrassing or inflammatory things on social media.
"When using social media, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc. department members shall be mindful that their ... postings become part of the worldwide electronic domain," a March 4, 2011, department-wide teletype read.
Since then, a number of officers have gotten in trouble for social media posts. Most recently, rookie officer Sean Bostwick was fired in September after posting a Snapchat photo of himself in uniform with the caption "another night to Rangle (sic) up these zoo animals."
Craig said he was able to fire Bostwick because he hadn't finished his probationary period.
"There's just no room in this department for that kind of behavior," the chief said Tuesday.
Detroit police chief suspends 2 officers amid investigation into 'racially insensitive' Snapchat
Click On Detroit
February 04, 2019
DETROIT – Detroit police Chief James Craig announced two officers have been suspended with pay after an investigation into a "racially insensitive" Snapchat was posted about a woman whose car had been towed because of expired registration.
"Based on the allegations, they're serious enough to where they cannot serve in the capacity of police officers in the city of Detroit," Craig said.
UPDATE: Coalition calls for dismissal of Detroit officer
He made the announcement during a 4 p.m. Monday news conference. He said the suspensions are effective immediately.
"To keep them in the workplace certainly is something at this point, based on the allegations, that I will not do," Craig said.
During the investigation, police learned about a similar incident around Christmas 2017 involving the same officer who allegedly took the Snapchat video, Craig said.
Craig released a statement regarding the incident Monday:
Over the past several days, our Internal Affairs section has been investigating a very hurtful and racially insensitive Snapchat post made by one of our department members. Based on our preliminary findings and additional information obtained from an officer who came forward, I have made a decision to suspend two officers involved, effective immediately.
I have spoken to a number of department members, men and women of all ethnic backgrounds, rank and file, who have expressed their disdain and outrage in this incident.
We are held to a higher standard. Our officers are expected to serve the community both ethically and respectfully, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
We will continue to move swiftly with our investigation and remain transparent with our community. Our focus is to maintain the integrity of this department and the public's confidence in it.
I want to acknowledge our local leaders and city residents for expressing their support in how we are handling this matter.
'Racially insensitive post'
Craig said during a Thursday news conference that he's not troubled, he's angry about the incident.
He said an 18 1/2-year veteran of the force pulled over a driver because of expired registration and made the call to tow the vehicle.
The officer had a right to make that stop, according to Craig. He said the driver wasn't happy about being stopped and towed on such a cold night.
Afterward, the officer is accused of making a Snapchat post about the woman and including the comment, "Bye, Felicia." Craig said that's a derogatory reference to Black History Month.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm troubled," Craig said. "I'm going to tell you I'm angry. This incident is absolutely not reflective (of the department). This is not acceptable."
Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home, but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
Officer reassigned, de-appointed from rank
Craig said the police officer was hired before his tenure and has a troubled past with the department. He said the officer's previous incidents would have been handled differently if he were in charge at the time.
"He has a troubling history," Craig said. "When I look at his background and the seriousness of what he was charged with, my question is, 'What did the department do?' I can't go back in time and address that issue. It's my issue now, but it does raise a lot of questions for me, especially when you look at his prior conduct."
Since the incident, the officer has been reassigned from the Sixth Precinct until the internal investigation is completed. He was also de-appointed from the rank of corporal, Craig said.
"I think after reviewing his history, without going into details of that at this point, there is a pattern, and I'm concerned about that pattern," Craig said. "That's something I'll be looking at and addressing, as well."
Craig said the officer has been with the police force for 18 1/2 years, making him a tenured employee who should know better. He is also involved with training other officers, Craig said.
The chief said his officer's rights will be respected during the investigation, but that he "absolutely" has concerns about the officer's ability to protect the community in a fair and balanced manner, which is what led to him being reassigned.
Craig said the officer will not have any contact with the public until the investigation concludes.
"That's not what we expect of our police officers," Craig said. "This officer will be held accountable for his actions."
The officer's partner is also part of the investigation, according to Craig.
A majority of the Detroit Police Department was troubled by the Snapchat post, and many reached out to Craig to express their concerns, he said.
Punishment could range from a written reprimand to a suspension to termination, Craig said.
Craig called to apologize
Craig said he called the woman's mother and apologized personally for the way her daughter was treated.
"That could have been my daughter," Craig said. "It could have been my sister. It doesn't matter. It could have been anyone's sister. Not acceptable."
Craig said when an officer makes such a poor decision, it reflects poorly on the Detroit Police Department and him as the chief.
He also said the department will be paying for the towing fees. The woman's car is already available for release, according to police.
Relationship between police, community
Craig said the Detroit Police Department has done a good job maintaining trust with the community during a time when many departments across the country struggle to build that relationship.
"I'm not saying we have not had our challenges over that period, but by and large, this department has done an above-average job in fostering trust-based relationships," Craig said.
He said the DPD is one of the few departments that doesn't hide from these types of issues and is transparent with the community, even when the topics are difficult.
"Of course, when these kinds of things happen, it does have a tendency to erode the trust," Craig said. "It has an impact on the entire profession."
Craig said the department is going to be very thorough in this investigation, but he wants to make sure it is done as quickly as possible, as the community demands.
"Not acceptable," Craig said. "(I'm) not troubled, not disappointed. I am angry, and I want your viewers, your listeners to know that. This is not what we expect of Detroit police officers."
Former U.S. Attorney Chris Graveline, who has been hired by the Detroit Police Department, shared Craig's thoughts on the incident.
"It's disgusting," Graveline said. "It's clearly racial in overtones. It's not what we expect from officers, and going forward, we're going to do a thorough, impartial investigation, but we intend to move very quickly on it."
White Detroit officer investigated over racially demeaning comments on social media
The officer allegedly posted a photo of a black female motorist walking home after police seized her car. On the post were the comments, "priceless," and "bye, Felicia."
NBC News
Feb 06, 2019
A white Detroit police officer — already suspended and demoted for allegedly creating a racially demeaning social media post — is being investigated for an earlier offensive statement, according to a published report.
Detroit's police chief suspended officer Gary Steele, an 18-year veteran of the force, and his partner in relation to their January stop of a female black motorist, 23-year-old Ariel Moore, NBC affiliate WDIV reported. Steele was also demoted.
Moore was driving with an expired license plate and police seized her car, forcing the woman to walk home. Steele's Snapchat account showed Moore walking home, with his comments "priceless" and "bye Felicia," WDIV said
"What black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month" according to a caption tag of the officer's Snapchat that was posted last week.
Now Steele is being investigated for making a similar Snapchat video in 2017 after impounding a black family's car and making them walk home with their Christmas gifts in tow, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told the Detroit News.
"On the heels of the incident last week, an officer posted in a private Facebook group 'if you think this was bad, the Christmas incident was even worse than that,' " Craig said. "We tracked down the officer, and found he is now working for another law enforcement agency."
"When we reached out to him, he indicated that [Steele] had impounded a car during Christmas two years ago," Craig continued. "The kids had gifts, and while the kids were walking home carrying their gifts, (Steele) supposedly made another Snapchat video saying 'walk of shame' and other racially-insensitive remarks."
A representative for the city's police union, the Detroit Police Officers Association, could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday.
Coalition calls for dismissal of Detroit officer accused of posting 'racially insensitive' Snapchat
Click On Detroit
February 07, 2019
DETROIT – The Coalition Against Police Brutality is calling for the dismissal of a Detroit officer accused of posting a "racially insensitive" Snapchat about a woman whose car had been towed because of expired registration.
Here's the full statement from coalition spokesperson Kenneth Reed:
"Gary Steele, and I refuse to give him the honor of calling him an officer, forced a Black woman to suffer under the very worst of circumstances last Tuesday when he forced her walk home in brutally cold weather for the supposed 'crime' of expired license tabs. This continued criminalizing people for minor so-called offenses is itself offensive and a breach of the public trust. To add insult to injury, he mocked her, and mocked the noble ideas of Black History Month and Black Girl Magic, by posting a video that only magnified his cruel behavior.
"Steele should not be demoted. He has dishonored the badge and his sworn duty to serve and protect. He should instead be immediately suspended without pay pending dismissal.
"This man has a history. Chief Craig calls that history "troubling." What is troubling to the Coalition is the fact that there can be an officer with a history of abusive, violent behavior still on the force.
"The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners needs to step in and do what they are mandated to do: oversee the actions of Detroit's police force and make sure that they are acting in ways that are consistent with integrity and justice. When police step out of line, the Commissioners have to step in.
"The Coalition demands that this officer be dismissed and brought to justice for his egregious actions. Detroit's citizens should expect nothing less."
Chief suspends officers
Detroit police Chief James Craig announced two officers have been suspended with pay after an investigation into the incident.
"Based on the allegations, they're serious enough to where they cannot serve in the capacity of police officers in the city of Detroit," Craig said.
He made the announcement during a 4 p.m. Monday news conference. He said the suspensions are effective immediately.
"To keep them in the workplace certainly is something at this point, based on the allegations, that I will not do," Craig said.
During the investigation, police learned about a similar incident around Christmas 2017 involving the same officer who allegedly took the Snapchat video, Craig said.
Craig released a statement regarding the incident Monday:
Over the past several days, our Internal Affairs section has been investigating a very hurtful and racially insensitive Snapchat post made by one of our department members. Based on our preliminary findings and additional information obtained from an officer who came forward, I have made a decision to suspend two officers involved, effective immediately.
I have spoken to a number of department members, men and women of all ethnic backgrounds, rank and file, who have expressed their disdain and outrage in this incident.
We are held to a higher standard. Our officers are expected to serve the community both ethically and respectfully, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
We will continue to move swiftly with our investigation and remain transparent with our community. Our focus is to maintain the integrity of this department and the public's confidence in it.
I want to acknowledge our local leaders and city residents for expressing their support in how we are handling this matter.
'Racially insensitive post'
Craig said during a Thursday news conference that he's not troubled, he's angry about the incident.
He said an 18 1/2-year veteran of the force pulled over a driver because of expired registration and made the call to tow the vehicle.
The officer had a right to make that stop, according to Craig. He said the driver wasn't happy about being stopped and towed on such a cold night.
Afterward, the officer is accused of making a Snapchat post about the woman and including the comment, "Bye, Felicia." Craig said that's a derogatory reference to Black History Month.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm troubled," Craig said. "I'm going to tell you I'm angry. This incident is absolutely not reflective (of the department). This is not acceptable."
Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home, but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
Officer reassigned, de-appointed from rank
Craig said the police officer was hired before his tenure and has a troubled past with the department. He said the officer's previous incidents would have been handled differently if he were in charge at the time.
"He has a troubling history," Craig said. "When I look at his background and the seriousness of what he was charged with, my question is, 'What did the department do?' I can't go back in time and address that issue. It's my issue now, but it does raise a lot of questions for me, especially when you look at his prior conduct."
Since the incident, the officer has been reassigned from the Sixth Precinct until the internal investigation is completed. He was also de-appointed from the rank of corporal, Craig said.
"I think after reviewing his history, without going into details of that at this point, there is a pattern, and I'm concerned about that pattern," Craig said. "That's something I'll be looking at and addressing, as well."
Craig said the officer has been with the police force for 18 1/2 years, making him a tenured employee who should know better. He is also involved with training other officers, Craig said.
The chief said his officer's rights will be respected during the investigation, but that he "absolutely" has concerns about the officer's ability to protect the community in a fair and balanced manner, which is what led to him being reassigned.
Craig said the officer will not have any contact with the public until the investigation concludes.
"That's not what we expect of our police officers," Craig said. "This officer will be held accountable for his actions."
The officer's partner is also part of the investigation, according to Craig.
A majority of the Detroit Police Department was troubled by the Snapchat post, and many reached out to Craig to express their concerns, he said.
Punishment could range from a written reprimand to a suspension to termination, Craig said.
Craig called to apologize
Craig said he called the woman's mother and apologized personally for the way her daughter was treated.
"That could have been my daughter," Craig said. "It could have been my sister. It doesn't matter. It could have been anyone's sister. Not acceptable."
Craig said when an officer makes such a poor decision, it reflects poorly on the Detroit Police Department and him as the chief.
He also said the department will be paying for the towing fees. The woman's car is already available for release, according to police.
Relationship between police, community
Craig said the Detroit Police Department has done a good job maintaining trust with the community during a time when many departments across the country struggle to build that relationship.
"I'm not saying we have not had our challenges over that period, but by and large, this department has done an above-average job in fostering trust-based relationships," Craig said.
He said the DPD is one of the few departments that doesn't hide from these types of issues and is transparent with the community, even when the topics are difficult.
"Of course, when these kinds of things happen, it does have a tendency to erode the trust," Craig said. "It has an impact on the entire profession."
Craig said the department is going to be very thorough in this investigation, but he wants to make sure it is done as quickly as possible, as the community demands.
"Not acceptable," Craig said. "(I'm) not troubled, not disappointed. I am angry, and I want your viewers, your listeners to know that. This is not what we expect of Detroit police officers."
Former U.S. Attorney Chris Graveline, who has been hired by the Detroit Police Department, shared Craig's thoughts on the incident.
"It's disgusting," Graveline said. "It's clearly racial in overtones. It's not what we expect from officers, and going forward, we're going to do a thorough, impartial investigation, but we intend to move very quickly on it."
Detroit legislators condemn police officer's 'racist action' shown on video, call for removal
Click On Detroit
February 08, 2019
DETROIT – Elected officials across Detroit are uniting to condemn what they are calling the racist actions of Detroit police officer Gary Steele.
The officials are calling for Steele's immediate and permanent removal from the Detroit Police Department. State Reps. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit), chair of the Detroit Caucus, and LaTanya Garrett (D-Detroit) will be hosting the press conference along with a number of Detroit state Senators, state Reps., city council members, county commissioners and community activists.
Here is the full list of elected officials calling for action:
- Sherry Gay-Dagnogo
- State Rep. LaTanya Garrett
- State Sen. Betty Jean Alexander
- State Sen. Sylvia Santana
- State Rep. Tenisha Yancey
- Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell
- Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark Coleman
- Wayne County Commissioner Monique Baker McCormick
- Wayne County Commissioner Martha G. Scott
- Wayne County Commissioner Jewel Ware
- Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield
- Westland City Council Member Tasha Green
- Eastpointe City Council Member Monique Owens
- Romulus City Council Member Virginia Williams
- Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett
- Lavonia Perryman, President, Michigan National Congress of Black Women
- Kamilia Landrum, Executive Director of NAACP Detroit
- Kim Trent, President of Wayne State University Board of Governors
- Attorney Portia Roberson, CEO of Focus: HOPE
- Mildred Gaddis, host of the Mildred Gaddis Show
- Donyale Atara, Social Action Chair, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Detroit Alumnae Chapter
The officer is accused of posting a "racially insensitive" Snapchat about a woman whose car had been towed because of expired registration. The officer posted the comment, "Bye, Felicia." Detroit police Chief James Craig said that's a derogatory reference to Black History Month.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm troubled," Craig said. "I'm going to tell you I'm angry. This incident is absolutely not reflective (of the department). This is not acceptable."
Earlier this week, Craig announced two officers have been suspended with pay after an investigation into the incident.
"Based on the allegations, they're serious enough to where they cannot serve in the capacity of police officers in the city of Detroit," Craig said.
He made the announcement during a 4 p.m. Monday news conference. He said the suspensions are effective immediately.
"To keep them in the workplace certainly is something at this point, based on the allegations, that I will not do," Craig said.
During the investigation, police learned about a similar incident around Christmas 2017 involving the same officer who allegedly took the Snapchat video, Craig said.
The Coalition Against Police Brutality already is calling for the officer's dismissal.
Woman in Detroit police officer's 'racially insensitive' Snapchat speaks out
Ariel Moore's Pontiac is out of the city impound after a Detroit police officer pulled her over this week.
"I gave him a valid driver's license and my registration," Moore said.
Her plates were expired and she didn't have insurance, so Detroit police said Officer Gary Steele and his partner decided to tow her vehicle.
Moore walked home, and officer Steele recorded her leaving and made comments that many deem offensive.
Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
"Walk of shame in the cold. Bye, Felicia," the officer said in the video.
The video was posted with the caption, "What black girl magic looks like." The video also read, "Black History Month."
"Why was any of that even called for? You could have taken my car like you wanted to and went on about your day," Moore said.
Craig launched an internal investigation immediatly and paid to get Moore's vehicle out of the tow lot.
In 2008, Steele took a misdemeanor plea and received probation after being arrested for physically attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun to scare her.
Legislators call for firing of Detroit police officer for posting 'racially insensitive' Snapchat
Click On Detroit
February 08, 2019
It’s the video that has sparked outrage, not only here in Detroit, but nationwide.
The message from several local legislators is loud and clear: the officer at the center of a racially insensitive video has to go.
“We need to stand united and today is about a movement,” state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo said.
It's a movement Gay-Dagnogo announced to a packed room of African-American female legislators.
The call for action came shortly after police Officer Gary Steele posted a Snapchat video of a black woman walking home in the cold after he pulled her over during a traffic stop for an expired tag.
Steele posted the Snapchat video of him, saying "Bye Felicia." The video also had the text, "Celebrating Black History," and, "This is what Black Girl Magic looks like."
“We will not allow anyone who has a position of power, particularly if you have a position of power with a gun, to mistreat people in our community,” said Donyale Atara, with Social Action Chair.
Detroit police Chief James Craig released this statement:
"We certainly appreciate the support and patience of our leaders to preserve due process. Our commitment is to be thorough in our investigation and to remain transparent with our community. We will continue our efforts in strengthening our relationship with our residents and maintaining the integrity of this department and the public’s confidence in it."
Lawsuit planned in case of Detroit cops' racist video
Detroit News
February 08, 2019
Detroit — Attorney Geoffrey Fieger said Friday he plans to sue the city on behalf of a 23-year-old woman who allegedly was taunted on video by Detroit police officers who'd impounded her vehicle.
Ariel Moore was driving on the city's west side Jan. 29 when she was pulled over by 6th Precinct officers Gary Steele and Michael Garrison. She had an expired registration, so the officers had her vehicle towed.
After Moore declined the officers' offer of a ride, Steele filmed her as she trekked homeward, allegedly mocking her by saying "priceless" and "bye Felicia," while his partner is heard on the video saying "walk of shame."
When Steele later posted the video to Snapchat, he added filters with the captions "What black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month," according to the video, first posted by WXYZ (Channel 7).
Both officers are suspended with pay, pending the results of an internal affairs investigation.
The incident has made national headlines. On Friday, a group of politicians and civic leaders attended a press conference at Focus: Hope in Detroit to protest how the officers handled the traffic stop, and to call for more mental health screening and cultural sensitivity training for police.
Moore attended Friday's press briefing, accompanied by her mother and Fieger Law attorney Greg Wix, who said afterward Moore would have no comment.
Reached by phone, Fieger was asked if he planned to sue the city. "Oh, yes," he said. "I'll let you know when I'm going to file it."
After the video surfaced, Craig launched an internal affairs probe and an "environmental audit" of the 6th Precinct. During Thursday's Board of Police Commissioners meeting, the chief said he expects to have both probes completed within two weeks.
The preliminary results of the audit have found racial-related problems on the 6th Precinct afternoon shift, which Steele and Garrison work, Craig said.
"The entire 6th Precinct is not engaging in this type of behavior; preliminarily, it appears to be isolated to the afternoon shift," Craig told the board."Those two officers (Steele and Garrison) set a tone for that shift that did have an impact on younger officers.
"There was an officer who came forward," Craig said. "The officer rejected this Snapchat video, and in doing so, he was booted out of a private chat room, and some of these 6th Precinct officers … said some things in that chat room that we consider inappropriate."
During Friday's press conference, State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, D-Detroit said she was outraged by the "disrespect" the officers showed Moore.
"This is not just a Detroit story — it's a national story," said Gay-Dagnogo, who hosted the press conference with Rep. LaTanya Garrett, D-Detroit.
"Mocking black history? Come on, now," Gay-Dagnogo said. "Our ancestors would be offended if we didn't stand up today."
Gay-Dagnogo she respects that the police investigation has to be finished before any action can be taken against Steele and Moore. "I believe the chief will do the right thing," she said.
"We will establish a committee to watch the 6th Precinct," Gay-Dagnogo said. "We are locking arms like never before to advance an agenda, an urban agenda that says we're not going to take it anymore. When you mock Ariel, you mock all of us."
Kim Trent, a member of the Wayne State University Board of Governors, told Moore: "We want to put our arms around you."
"We're not here to bash the chief of police or law enforcement, because we know they have a difficult job," Trent said. "But Officer Steele didn't show respect to that woman on that bitterly cold night, and we won't stand for it.
Trent added: "There has to be a thorough investigation. We know there's a process. Right now (Steele) is on paid ..."
Several people in the audience interjected: "Paid vacation."
Craig initially reassigned Steele after hearing about the video and launching an internal investigation. On Monday, the chief suspended Steele and Garrison with pay, as required by the union contract.
The City Charter mandates the police chief must get permission from the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners to suspend an officer without pay. It was unclear whether Craig would ask the board to approve unpaid suspensions for the two cops.
During the internal affairs investigation into last week's video, Craig said allegations surfaced about another racially-insensitive video Steele allegedly posted to Snapchat during the holidays in 2017, in which he made fun of a family that had to walk home carrying their Christmas presents.
OPINION: Abusing black women still costs abusers too little
Detroit Free Press
February 08, 2019
Black History Month has put me in mind of an observation Malcolm X made back in 1962: “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.”
Because I am a black woman, I wish this were no longer true. .Because I am a black woman, I know it is.
Recent headlines only reinforce this sad conclusion. First there was the online victim-blaming and shaming showered on the then-children who were allegedly sexually abused by singer R. Kelly in the wake of the release of the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
Last week, former Toledo pastor Cordell Jenkins pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of underage black girls as young as 14. Jenkins is the second of three Toledo-area ministers to confess having sex with underage girls and sharing pictures of their sexual encounters with them. A third minister, Anthony Haynes, went on trial this week.
Finally, Detroit’s police department recently drew the wrong kind of national headlines when Officer Gary Steele posted to Snapchat a racially charged video of his encounter with Ariel Moore, a 23-year old black Detroiter.
After ticketing Moore for driving a car with suspended license plates, Steele had her car impounded and made a video mocking her as she walked home in sub-zero cold. In the video, Steele used graphics that mockingly described Moore’s frigid walk (“what Black Girl Magic looks like”) and sarcastically labeled the episode as his salute to Black History Month. He ended the taped encounter by saying, “Bye, Felicia!” — a black colloquialism used to signal disrespect for a person the speaker is dismissing.
To be sure, girls and women of every race have been sexually abused or faced humiliation at the hands of unprofessional law enforcement officials. But the boldness of these acts of disrespect and abuse, and the muted reaction to it, points to the lack of shame or remorse demanded of those who target black girls and women.
All of these stories are outrageous, but because it happened in my own backyard, I am particularly vexed by Steele‘s conduct. His mockery was a despicable negation of Moore’s humanity. Detroit Police Chief James Craig has condemned Steele’s behavior, and he has been placed on paid suspension.
Moore isn’t the first black woman to confront a police officer who sought to demean and disrespect her. My heart still breaks when I watch dashcam footage of 2015 arrest of motorist Sandra Bland by Texas police officer Brian Encinia, who pulled her over for failing to signal a lane change.
Encinia proceeded to mock and criticize Bland for failing to accepting his citation with Zen-like serenity. When she refused Encinia’s requests to put out her cigarette and exit her car — orders which many experts later concluded had no legal foundation — the encounter escalated, and Bland’s was arrested. Three days later, Sandra Bland was found hanged in a Texas jail.
The Texas county that employed Encina paid $1.9 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Bland's family. Encinia was ultimately fired for actions related to the encounter, and he has agreed to never seek another job in law enforcement.
Friday, some of Detroit’s most prominent black women leaders – including state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit), Detroit NAACP Executive Director Kamilia Landrum and Focus: HOPE CEO Portia Roberson – will come together to announce a petition drive to call for Steele’s dismissal. I’ll be there, too.
For me, the need to relieve Steele of his duties is about risk management, not revenge. A so-called public servant who so gleefully delights in seeing a citizen being put in harm’s way has no business in law enforcement. It’s not unreasonable to worry that his behavior will escalate from callous to lethal.
Furthermore, there is evidence that Steele’s track record disqualifies him for a job that requires him to use good judgment with a firearm. In 2008, he accepted a plea deal for physically assaulting an ex-girlfriend and firing a gun next to her head.
I understand that Chief Craig must conduct thorough investigation before he decides Steele’s fate. But as a citizen, I won’t be silent about the disrespect and harm that Steele heaped upon Moore.
In investigating R. Kelly’s exploits, rock critic and music reporter Jim DeRogatis came face to face with the tragic reality of how black women are treated in America. “The saddest fact I’ve learned," he observed, echoing Malcolm X, "is nobody matters less to our society than young lack women. Nobody.”
I am hopeful that Chief Craig will do his part to prove DeRogatis wrong by holding Steele accountable for his actions. I won’t be silent unless he does.
Protesters at Detroit police HQ want officer fired for Snapchat post
A protest rally was held outside Detroit Police Headquarters Monday
FOX 2 News - Detroit
February 18, 2019
National Action Network activists are calling on Detroit Police Chief James Craig to terminate Gary Steel.
Steel is the officer who made a racist Snapchat post mocking an African-American woman he pulled over because of an expired license plate and allowed her to walk home in frigid weather.
Officer Steel and his partner were suspended with pay as the investigation into the incident continues.
"The last time I checked the chief of police and mayor of the city of Detroit have the ability to fire anybody who they would like to fire in the city of Detroit." said Rev. Charles Williams II of The National Action Network.
In a press conference held after the rally, Detroit Police Chief James Craig made it clear that terminating the officer without following procedures would only lead to problems.
"When you start violating police officer’s rights' that sets a bad practice and standards," Craig said. "And that is not what we want to do."
Chief Craig says he understands people want justice for Ariel Moore, the woman who was mocked in Officer Steele's Snapchat post. And he says an investigative report has been submitted, but it revealed more answers are needed.
"Once the investigation was completed we would have what we call a chief's hearing to hear disciplinary matter set for - initially - this Thursday," said Craig. "Unfortunately as investigations go, there were other issues that came up as a companion part of the investigation."
Chief Craig would not disclose what the other issues are, but he did say the chief's' hearing would take place early next week.
"When you start interviewing 50 or more people there are other issues that emerge and so sometimes it takes us in another direction and then we have an obligation to close every hole that we can."
These activists say they will keep making their voices head until the police department and the city of Detroit do the right thing
"He needs to go," said one protestor. "He should have gone the minute they found out what he did to that young woman."
Protesters demand firing of Detroit police officer over 'racially insensitive' Snapchat video
Click On Detroit
February 19, 2019
DETROIT – Dozens of protesters marched outside the Detroit Police Department Monday, demanding that an officer involved in sending a "racially insensitive" Snapchat video be fired as soon as possible.
Protesters want Officer Gary Steele fired now -- and they want to know why an internal investigation is taking so long.
“He made fun of her and Black History Month at the same time, so he’s making fun of black people,” said one protester.
Two weeks ago, Local 4 obtained video of Steele’s Snapchat, in which he was mocking a black woman walking home after a traffic stop.
In the video, Steele made racist comments about the wmoan, like, "Bye Felicia." He was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay.
The Rev. Charles Williams, with the National Action Network, said Steele should be fired.
“We’re saying 'Hell no. We would not take it. This officer still has to go” said Williams.
It’s been two weeks since Detroit Police started an internal investigation. Many are saying they’re taking too long with a decision about Steele’s future.
“We are on track. We’re moving forward," said Detroit police chief James Craig. "I know that some are critical and saying that the chief has the ability to fire this officer now. As I stated in the past, what’s most important is that we follow due process. We want to reassure the public that we are taking this allegation extremely seriously, and we’re moving forward much faster than we have in other investigations in the past."
Detroit police officer's racially insensitive Snapchat video: What's next
Detroit Free Press
February 20, 2019
A chief's hearing is scheduled for next week regarding an investigation by the Detroit Police Department into an officer's racially insensitive comments posted on Snapchat last month.
Police Chief James Craig gave an update on the investigation involving Officer Gary Steele and another officer via Facebook after protesters stood outside of the department's public safety headquarters on Third Avenue.
"I understand their anger. We all understand their anger. We certainly support free speech. We certainly support their interest in this investigation. I would just ask to be patient," Craig said.
Steele shared the video after stopping 23-year-old Ariel Moore for an expired license plate tag. The video, posted on Steele's Snapchat account, showed Moore walking and the video included the captions, "What black girl magic looks like" and "Celebrating Black History Month."
Verbal comments such as "Bye Felicia" and "walk of shame" could be heard in the video.
The department retrieved the video on Jan. 30 and an internal investigation was launched on Feb.1. Craig said a 110-page report was submitted 14 days after the investigation launched.
The two officers were suspended with pay and Steele was demoted from corporal. Craig said that if a final decision of dismissal is sought after the hearing, Steele then would no longer be affiliated with the department.
Craig said the chief's hearing, which originally was scheduled for Thursday, was rescheduled after questions arose from a companion investigation for an environmental audit. That investigation is still ongoing.
"We are on track, we are moving forward," he said.
Activists, including the National Action Network of Michigan, called for Steele to be fired.
"Every time I think about what officer Steele did, I increasingly lose faith in the cultural sensitivity of DPD," said the Rev. Charles Williams II, the Michigan group's president.
Craig said the department has been questioned about why Steele was not being fired quickly, as was the case with former Officer Sean Bostwick, who was fired in September 2018 for a viral racially charged message. Craig said Bostwick was fired immediately because he was still on probation, whereas a different process must be taken in Steele's case because of his long tenure with the department.
"We can't fire anyone we want to without following due process," Craig said, mentioning that Steele could dispute the dismissal if he was fired without following a specific protocol.
"When you start violating a police officer's rights, that sets a bad practice in standard and that's not what we want to do."
Craig said the department holds personnel accountable for social media posts and to "stay away from personal attacks."
"If you want to post something, post something that is favorable to you, the department. Stay away from negative posts. ... We're police officers. And if you show bias in a social media post, the message is how can you go out and effectively engage in neighborhood policing," he said.
Love on firing of Detroit Police Officer Gary Steele
Michigan House - Democrats
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
DETROIT — The Detroit Police department announced today that Officer Gary Steele had been fired following an investigation into an incident where Steele documented on Snapchat his purposeful humiliation of Ariel Moore, a 23-year-old African American woman, while on duty. In response to his termination, state Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“I appreciate the diligent and deliberate investigation conducted by Chief Craig and his department and agree with the conclusion of their investigation. The actions of one bad police officer are not proof that all are bad; in fact, the way the chief and others in the department handled this matter is proof of the excellence still within the department. Former Officer Steele was unfit to be counted among the men and women who honorably serve our city and work so hard to keep everyone safe. He will no longer be able to tarnish the department or denigrate our citizens with his behavior. While the appropriate corrective action was taken today, the fact remains that there is a serious need for additional training around cultural sensitivity and diversity in our police departments to ensure something like this never happens again.”
Detroit cop who posted mocking Snapchat video fired
Detroit News
February 27, 2019
Detroit — Police chief James Craig has fired the white police officer who posted a racially insensitive Snapchat video poking fun at a black motorist he'd stopped.
The chief added he will submit a warrant request to Wayne County prosecutors for possible criminal charges against former Detroit police Cpl. Gary Steele and his partner, Officer Michael Garrison, after administrative investigations are completed.
In a case that's drawn national media attention, Steele and Garrison were suspended with pay Feb. 4 after Steele posted the video showing a Jan. 29 traffic stop on Detroit's west side.
Steele and his partner Garrison, who work in the 6th Precinct, are heard on the video mocking Ariel Moore, the woman they'd pulled over.
The video, first aired by WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), shows Moore walking home as he says "priceless" and "bye Felicia" with caption tags that read, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month."
Garrison is allegedly heard on the video saying "walk of shame."
Craig said he fired Steele during a hearing Tuesday. He said Steele faced 24 allegations, and that internal affairs officers sustained 11 of the allegations.
Craig said Garrison's termination hearing is scheduled for next week. The chief did not indicate whether he plans to fire Garrison.
During the investigation, Craig said his detectives uncovered other cases of Steele making disparaging remarks about black citizens.
"There were at least two separate instances where the officer called African-Americans in a public space 'Keishas,' 'Jakes' or 'homeys.' What made it derogatory and degrading was the context in which it was used. Some would say 'what’s wrong with Keisha?' but ... it clearly has racial issues when you make comments like that about a certain group of people."
Elected officials and civil rights groups had been pressuring Craig to fire the officers, but the chief insisted he had to follow the union rules, conduct an investigation and hold hearings.
"This was an emotionally charged incident," Craig said. "People wanted me to fire him right now, but there's a process we have to follow."
Detroit Police Officers Association President Craig Miller didn't immediately respond for a comment Wednesday.
Civil rights leader the Rev. W.J. Rideout praised Craig's decision to fire Steele.
"I think it was handled the right way, and I'm appreciative of the chief getting this cancer out of the Detroit Police Department."
Steele is expected to take the decision to arbitration, Craig said.
"That's his union right," the chief said.
Craig said Wednesday his investigators interviewed 55 officers, and the probe uncovered instances of Steele lying to police officials, policy violations involving the actions on the video itself and other instances of Steele acting inappropriately toward other black citizens he'd encountered in separate incidents.
When Craig learned of the video, he ordered two parallel investigations: The internal probe to determine whether the officers' actions on the video violated department policy; and an "environmental audit" to see if there were problems with racial animosity in the 6th Precinct, where Steele and Garrison were assigned.
Craig said the environmental audit's preliminary findings uncovered racial issues on Steele and Garrison's afternoon shift at the 6th Precinct.
"I estimate that (will be completed) in about two weeks," Craig said. "We’re assessing supervisors who knew or should’ve known that there were (racial) issues and no action was taken."
Assistant Chief James White, who is in charge of the environmental audit, said investigators have interviewed more than 100 people.
Craig stressed: "This does not reflect on the vast majority of officers at the 6th Precinct."
Detroit NAACP president Wendell Anthony said at the press conference: "It appears justice has been served at this point. (Steele) has been held accountable through the department.
"I believe we have something going on in Detroit that's unique: We have the ability to talk to the chief and engage the police," Anthony said. "That's one of the reasons we have not had the kind of upheavals that we've had in other communities.
"There are a lot of good police officers on the department, and as the chief said, this is not a paintbrush against all of them. But the ones who are bad apples need to be extracted from the department. We hope this is a message that others can learn."
Lisa Carter, a member of the Board of Police Commissioners, added: "As I think about this incident, I can't help but think about me and who I am. I am black magic, to be quite honest with you, and I was appalled to see what that young lady went through and what the officer posted.
"The board had confidence that the chief and his staff would conduct a thorough investigation, and they did," Carter said. "(The chief) has spoken, and we're happy with the decision he made."
Moore's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, told The Detroit News he plans on suing the city over the incident, although it was unclear when he planned to file the suit.
Detroit police officer accused of posting racist Snapchat video fired
WXYZ News- Detroit
February 27, 2019
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Police Chief James Craig said the Detroit cop accused of making a racially insensitive Snapchat post has been fired.
Craig said 24 complaints were made during the investigation and 11 were sustained.
The social media post was first uncovered by 7 Action News on Jan. 30. The video posted to Snapchat showed a Detroit police traffic stop near Joy Road and Stout. In the video, the officer, identified as Steele, makes a few condescending remarks toward 23-year-old Ariel Moore, an African American woman he instructed to walk home in below freezing weather. She was pulled over for having expired license tabs.
After learning of the post, Craig said the incident would be investigated thoroughly.
Fifty-five people were interviewed during the investigation.
Steele was previously in trouble with the law. He had been charged with physically attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun next to her head back in 2008. Steele ended up taking a misdemeanor plea deal for probation and staying on the force.
Steele has declined to speak with 7 Action News since the video was brought to the attention of DPD.
Detroit police officer fired over 'racially insensitive' video posted to Snapchat
Police chief: Officer used racially insensitive language on other occasions
Click On Detroit
February 27, 2019
DETROIT – The Detroit police officer who posted a racist video to Snapchat has been fired from the force.
Detroit police Chief James Craig said he wants the prosecutor to press criminal charges against former officer Gary Steele.
"I've made the determination that police officer Gary Steele be terminated from his position," Craig said.
Craig said Steele posted a "racially insensitive" Snapchat after having a woman's car towed because of expired registration. Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home, but refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
The Snapchat captions included the phrase, "black girl magic," referenced Black History Month and the officer made a verbal comment, "Bye, Felicia."
The post sparked an internal investigation with more than 50 interviews which Craig said revealed Steele had used more derogatory language in his 18 years as a police officer.
"Terms he used on several occasions, such as 'Keisha,' - 'Jakes' and 'Homies,' which were all derogatory, demoralizing and degrading and, yes, racially insensitive," Craig said.
There were several calls for Steele's termination from community leaders and organizations.
The internal investigation is far from over. It's now focused on Steele's partner and the sixth precinct where Steele worked.
Detroit officer who posted racially insensitive Snapchat video mocking driver is fired
Video on the officer's Snapchat account after a traffic stop of a black woman showed him saying, “priceless” and “bye Felicia,” as the driver, her car seized, walked home
NBC News
February 28, 2019
A white Detroit police officer who posted a Snapchat video mocking a black motorist after a traffic stop has been fired.
Police Chief James Craig announced the firing of Gary Steele, an 18-year veteran of the force, Wednesday.
"Former police officer Steele has lost the trust of those he served and can no longer provide policing services in our city," Craig said. "The actions taken by former police officer Steele not only negatively impacted our community, but also people across this great nation."
Steele and his former partner, Officer Michael Garrison were suspended earlier this month after the video surfaced of Steele mocking the black female driver who had been stopped by the officers Jan. 29 on Detroit's west side. Steele was also demoted from the rank of corporal.
Detroit police chief apologizes for officer’s ‘racially insensitive’ Snapchat video
Ariel Moore was driving with an expired license plate, and her car was seized by the officers during the stop.
Video surfaced afterward on Steele’s Snapchat account showing him saying, “priceless” and “bye, Felicia,” as Moore walked home. The caption on the Snapchat tags read: “What black girl magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month.”
Garrison is allegedly heard on the video saying, "walk of shame."
An investigation after the incident found other cases of Steele making disparaging remarks about blacks, the police chief said at the news conference.
Investigators found "terms he used on several occasions, such as 'Keisha,' 'Jakes' and 'homies,' which were all derogatory, demoralizing and degrading, and yes, racially insensitive in the context of which it was used," Craig said.
White Detroit officer fired for Snapchat video taunting black woman
CBS News - Detroit
February 28, 2019
Detroit police chief takes action over officer's offensive Snapchat post
Chief Craig gives an update regarding the investigation of the officer's Snapchat
A white Detroit police officer has been fired after posting a Snapchat video in which he made derogatory comments about a black woman, Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced Wednesday. Officer Gary Steele made the comments after he impounded the woman's car last month, and as she walked away in the cold.
The video that was posted to Snapchat was first uncovered by Detroit television station WXYZ.
Steele and another officer pulled the woman over Jan. 29 for having an expired registration. They impounded her car and she walked away after turning down an offer to be escorted home, Craig said after the incident.
Craig said the stop and the tow were both lawful, but the Snapchat video was where the encounter "went bad." The video shows the woman walking away in freezing temperatures with the captions, "Celebrating Black History Month" and "What black girl magic looks like."
The officers can be heard commenting back and forth, "Priceless," "Walk of shame," "In the cold," and "Bye, Felicia."
Craig said he made the determination to fire Steele following an internal investigation. He said the investigation found other instances in Steele's 18-year career of using language he called "derogatory, demoralizing, degrading, and yes, racially insensitive." Craig said the derogatory terms included "keisha," "jakes" and "homies."
Steele hasn't commented but is expected to take the case to arbitration under union rules, the Associated Press reports. The investigation is now focusing on another officer who has been suspended.
The Rev. Wendell Anthony, the president of the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, lauded the decision to fire Steele.
"This is not a paintbrush against all of them," Anthony said, referring to Detroit police officers. "But the ones that are bad apples need to be extricated from the department."
Second Detroit police officer fired in connection with 'racially insensitive' Snapchat
Chief James Craig fires partner of officer who sent controversial Snapchat
Click On Detroit
March 12, 2019
DETROIT – A second Detroit police officer has been fired in connection with a "racially insensitive" video that was posted to Snapchat last month.
Detroit police Chief James Craig announced Officer Michael Garrison -- the partner of Officer Gary Steele, who posted the Snapchat -- has also been fired. Steele was fired Feb. 27.
Craig said during a previous press conference that he wants prosecutors to press criminal charges against Steele.
"I've made the determination that police Officer Gary Steele be terminated from his position," Craig said.
Craig said Steele posted a "racially insensitive" Snapchat after having a woman's car towed because of expired registration. Craig said body camera footage shows the woman was offered a ride home, but she refused and walked a block in the cold and dark.
The Snapchat captions included the phrase "black girl magic," referenced Black History Month and the officer made a verbal comment, "Bye, Felicia."
The post sparked an internal investigation with more than 50 interviews, which Craig said revealed Steele had used more derogatory language in his 18 years as a police officer.
"Terms he used on several occasions, such as 'Keisha,' 'Jakes' and 'Homies,' which were all derogatory, demoralizing and degrading and, yes, racially insensitive," Craig said.
There were several calls for Steele's termination from community leaders and organizations.
Second Detroit police officer involved in racist Snapchat post fired
WXYZ News- Detroit
March 12, 2019
DETROIT (WXYZ) — A second Detroit police officer who was involved in a racist Snapchat post has also been fired.
The officer, Michael Garrison, allegedly showed no remorse and showed a pattern of behavior that violated policy.
On Feb. 27, Detroit officer Gary Steele was fired for his involvement in the post.
Steele was fired after a racist Snapchat post was first exposed by 7 Action News.
In the video, a woman – identified as Ariel Moore – is seen walking home after her car was impounded for expired tags. The video goes on to make several derogatory and racist jokes, but there are two voices in the video.
One of the voices was identified as Steele, who has since been fired, but the second officer has been identified as Michael Garrison. The officer was on paid leave since the incident.
After DPD launched an investigation, police chief James Craig said 55 people were interviewed and 11 allegations were made against Garrison. Garrison was accused of making racially insensitive comments and providing false statements during an internal affairs investigation.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan released this statement:
"I have been speaking regularly with Chief Craig about the very troubling issues being uncovered among some officers within the 6th precinct. He has taken the right action so far with Officers Steele and Garrison for their abuse treatment of Ariel Moore. I fully support his continued investigation into the deeper issues within that precinct. This type of disrespectful treatment toward our citizens is unacceptable and clearly the chief is addressing it with a sense of urgency it requires."
Detroit police chief says investigation into Snapchat video reveals racial divide in precinct
2 officers fired
Click On Detroit
March 12, 2019
DETROIT – In late January, a video surfaced showing an officer mocking a black woman.
Detroit police began an internal investigation. About a month later, after several protests demanding Detroit police fire Officer Gary Steele. They did just that. Now, a second officer, Michael Garrison, has been dismissed.
Limuel Hubbard has lived in his neighborhood for more than 35 years. He has seen the good and the bad, but the behavior of two officers in the 6th precinct, just down the street, surprised even him.
“It was very poor on their part to react to people like that," he said.
Steele and Garrison are accused of making racist comments towards the community they serve.
The situation came to light after Steele posted a Snapchat video of a black girl walking. He used the words "Bye Felicia" and "Celebrating Black History" over the video.
“To call people out of their names like that, it was just ridiculous,” Hubbard said.
Police Chief James Craig agrees.
“While investigating former Officer Steele, investigators determined that Officer Garrison also repeatedly demonstrated disturbing actions while on the job,” Craig said.
Craig said the investigation revealed Garrison used racist words.
“Terminology like Jakes, Keishas, homies, terrorists, bye Felicia, ghetto and little Al Quida,” Craig said.
Craig said that type of behavior will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, Hubbard said he’s glad the two are gone.
“I’m just glad I didn’t run into them, “ Hubbard said.
From the outside, things looked normal at the 6th Precinct, but Craig said there are some deep issues on the inside.
“The 6th Precinct is racially divided,” he said.
Craig said the sad truth was revealed during an audit performed on the precinct after the video surfaced.
“Some of the officers that were interviewed felt that the environment contained racial insensitivities. This led to the perception of some members that they were unfairly treated by some supervisors and some command officers,” Craig said.
Garrison is facing allegations of conduct unbecoming, failure to report misconduct, willingly departing from making a truthful statement and neglect of duty.
Craig said he is making changes within the precinct, starting with leadership positions.
“There’s going to be some changes at the 6th precinct with some supervisors and some managers that have prior been assigned to that precinct ,and we’re moving forward with that, as well. We don’t hide from these type of situations, we’re transparent and we take appropriate and swift actions. That’s critical,” Craig said.
Mayor Mike Duggan also responded to the firing of both officers.
“I have been speaking regularly with Chief Craig about the very troubling issues being uncovered among some officers within the 6th Precinct. He has taken exactly the right action so far with Officers Steele and Garrison for their abusive treatment of Ariel Moore." I fully support his continued investigation into the deeper issues within that precinct. This type of disrespectful treatment toward our citizens is unacceptable and clearly, the chief is addressing it with the sense of urgency it requires."
Lawsuits filed against former Detroit police officers over racist Snapchat post
WXYZ News - Detroit
April 26, 2019
Attorney Geoffrey Fieger to discuss two lawsuits filed against former officer Gary Steele
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two lawsuits were filed against former Detroit police officers regarding a racist Snapchat video.
Corporal Gary Steele and Officer Michael Garrison have been fired after Steele posted a video to his Snapchat account.
In the video, Steele and Garrison are heard making racist jokes as a woman walked home in freezing temperatures after her car was impounded.
Attorney Geoffrey Fieger is holding a news conference Friday morning at 10 a.m. to discuss the lawsuits:
Plaintiff's Complaint and Jury Demand (TC) (00699462xA9307)
PLEAD. Complaint and Jury Demand - WCCC (TC) (00699588xA9307)
Former Detroit police officer facing lawsuits for alleged police brutality, racism
Click On Detroit
April 26, 2019
Lawyer shows video showing ex-Detroit police officer allegedly breaking woman's arm
Body cam: Detroit officer allegedly breaks woman's arm [05312018]
Officer Gary Steele pointing finger like gun at squad car where Elaine Murriel was seated after Steele broke her arm
DETROIT – A former Detroit police officer is facing two new lawsuits, one of them involving allegations of police brutality.
It’s round two of the former Detroit police Officer Gary Steele’s soap opera. A video recorded May 31, 2018 allegedly showed Steele, who is accused of breaking Elaine Murriel’s arm while trying to arrest her, after she got into an argument with the girlfriend of her son’s father.
Attorney Geoffrey Fieger said officers arrived and handled the situation. Fieger said Steele showed up later allegedly arrested his client and broke her arm in the process, “Elaine’s arm was fractured. She had an operation,” said Attorney Geoffrey Fieger.
Almost a year later, Fieger and his team of attorneys are suing the city of Detroit and Steele for his involvement in this case and the infamous Snapchat video. That video showed Steele using racial slurs to describe his client Ariel Moore.
“What happened here was a gross violation of not only the state civil rights and negligence, that we alleged in these complaints,” said Fieger.
Friday morning, Fieger released both lawsuits. Moore is suing for $75,000, and Murriel is suing for $25,000.
“When it costs them money, then they start making changes and that’s the purpose of these lawsuits,” said Fieger.
Chief James Craig addressed the lawsuits Friday.
“We are aware of it. As you know, as it relates to the first lawsuit, we did an investigation and the officers were terminated. As it comes to the second lawsuit, that is being investigated by the Internal Affairs.”
Fieger also accused DPD of hiding the 2018 incident. Craig said that’s not true.
Ex-Detroit Police officers accused of misconduct in new lawsuits
Detroit Free Press
April 26, 2019
Two separate civil complaints have been filed in the Wayne County Circuit Court linked to accusations of police misconduct and allegedly racially motivated attacks, trial attorney Geoffrey Fieger announced at a news conference Friday.
Both lawsuits name the City of Detroit, the Detroit Police Department and former Detroit Police Officer Gary Steele. One also names former Detroit Police Officer Michael Garrison.
The lawsuits have been filed nearly a year after plaintiff Elaine Murriel alleged Steele broke her arm during an incident on May 31, 2018, and months after WXYZ-TV first aired a derogatory Snapchat video of a woman, Ariel Moore, walking home after officers seized her car.
The video uses filters that say "Celebrating Black History Month" and "What Black Girl Magic Looks Like," as two officers — identified as Steele and Garrison — appear to taunt the "walk of shame."
In a video of the news conference streamed by WXYZ-TV, Fieger said the lawsuits are "a result of intolerable, invidious, racially motivated assaults and other attacks upon my clients."
A Detroit Police spokesperson told the paper that the department does not comment on pending litigation.
Detroit's corporation counsel, Lawrence Garcia, issued a statement: “As Chief Craig announced last month, the two officers involved in this incident were terminated and are no longer with the Detroit Police Department. Beyond that, I can only say that as a matter of general policy, the city does not comment on pending litigation.”
Ariel Moore
Widely circulated Snapchat video from Jan. 30, 2019, shows how officers filmed Moore as she began walking home on a cold night.
"Priceless," one officer can be heard saying.
According to the lawsuit filed Friday, Steele and Garrison pulled Moore over because she didn't have a proper registration tab, issued her a ticket and confiscated the keys. She was allegedly fearful of the officers, so she began to walk home.
Steele recorded the video and posted it to his Snapchat account.
"Bye Felicia," a voice says on tape.
The lawsuit states that Craig and Mayor Mike Duggan have both decried the video, and both officers have since been removed from the police force.
Yet, the lawsuit said, the city and the police department had been aware of Steele's "propensity for racism and violence, especially toward women."
Additionally, the suit notes that Craig has said a former officer came forward and said there's another video Steele made in 2017, after impounding a car during Christmas. The video reportedly also records Steele saying "walk of shame' and other racially insensitive remarks.
As for a review of Garrison, the suit said he was suspended for 60 days in 2015 for shooting deer in Rouge Park while on duty, and he was also among a group of officers sued in 2006 and accused of wrongfully stopping and harassing a 15-year-old boy — the city settled the case.
Represented by attorney Gregory Wix, the lawsuit filed on behalf of Moore calls for the following charges:
- Gross negligence (Steele and Garrison)
- Gross negligence (City of Detroit and DPD)
- Intentional Infliction of emotional distress (Steele and Garrison)
- Defamation (Steele)
- False Light (Steele)
- Violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (All defendants)
Elaine Murriel
Represented by attorney Todd Weglarz, Murriel alleges that Steele broke her arm during an incident in 2018.
Murriel was dropping her infant son off at his father's house when an altercation ensued between her and the girlfriend of the father of her child. Murriel had a personal protection order against her, but it is alleged that the girlfriend attempted to run Murriel over with a vehicle.
The lawsuit says Murriel defended herself by discharging her licensed firearm in the direction of the girlfriend's car, and Detroit police responded. Murriel told officers she had a concealed weapons permit and was acting in defense of herself.
Among other officers responding to the scene, the lawsuit said Steele decided to arrest Murriel "suddenly and physically." She was holding her son in her arms and was told to put her hands behind her back.
The lawsuit alleges Steele told another officer to hold Murriel's arms, while another officer took the child away. Steele then allegedly pushed Murriel up against the vehicle, grabbed her arms and forced her left arm to "bend backward, in an abnormal manner, and against the natural range of motion allowed by the elbow joint."
Police body camera video of the incident was shown at the news conference.
Weglarz said Murriel was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail, and an exam showed that her arm was broken. He said Murriel was given a sling, and stayed in jail for four days until she was released with no charges.
Fieger added that Murriel continues to have difficulty with her arm, and has had surgery to repair the damage.
"(Steele) should never have been on the force at the time that he was engaging in the activities that resulted in this lawsuit, which resulted in the breaking of Elaine Murriel's arm. ... An incident that never should have resulted in an arrest in the first place," Fieger said.
Both lawsuits mention that Steele faced numerous felony charges after reportedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend in March 2008. One of the suits describes the incident, stating Steele hit her with a baseball bat, choked her, put a loaded gun inside of her mouth, pointed the gun to her head, threatened to kill her and fired three shots near the side of her head. Steele entered a no-contest plea.
"Notwithstanding the disturbing and grossly violent acts committed by Defendant Steele, the City of Detroit and DPD, permitted/allowed Steele to remain on its police force as an armed police officer with a known history and propensity for assaultive violence," the suit filed on behalf of Murriel states.
The suit calls for the following counts:
- Gross negligence & wanton and willful misconduct (Steele)
- Violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (City of Detroit/DPD/Steele)
Systemic racism & long-standing issues
The suit filed on behalf of Moore makes reference to the internal affairs investigation launched by Detroit Police after the video surfaced, and notes that the city and Detroit Police announced that an audit was conducted of the afternoon shift of the 6th Precinct — where Steele and Garrison worked.
The audit found evidence of "racial animosity" in the precinct, "while some supervisors were unaware or unconcerned," the lawsuit said.
Additionally, the lawsuit notes that while discussing the audit, it was found that Steele and Garrison were "ringleaders" of a group of officers working the afternoon shift, who would refer to African Americans as "Keishas" and "Jakes."
Traffic stops were also routinely made after 9:30 p.m. "to avoid priority calls late in the evening," and black drivers were "overwhelmingly the subject." The lawsuit also mentions that the Department's Committee on Race and Equality also recognized evidence of "top-down discriminatory practices" and racial attitudes shown by some of the officers in the command staff.
Fieger emphasized that the lawsuits are not an attack on police officers.
"This isn't an attack on police officers, the vast majority of the City of Detroit police officers, as well as police officers from other departments, are fine men and women. And I acknowledge that Chief Craig, several days ago issued what I consider to be a fairly forthright executive summary concerning the wrongful activities of these two rogue Detroit Police officers," he said.
"However, the incident of racial discrimination and racial profiling and invidious racially motivated incidents is still far too great, and it reflects a failure to train and a failure to screen in terms of the continued employment of officers who have no business being on the force."
Detroit officer in racist Snapchat post also accused of breaking woman's arm
FOX 2 News - Detroit
April 26, 2019
(FOX 2) - A woman has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit police department, the city, and a former officer after she says her arm was broken during an arrest.
In a press conference Friday, attorney Geoffrey Fieger announced that on behalf of Elaine Keymo Murriel of Detroit, a $25,000 lawsuit was filed against the City of Detroit, Detroit Police Department and former police officer Gary Steele for an incident last year. Steele was fired in late February after sharing a racist Snapchat post of a young woman during a traffic stop.
"The incidents of racial discrimination and racial profiling and invidious racially motivated incidents is still far too great and it reflects a failure to train and a failure to screen in terms of the continued employment of officers who have no business being on the force," Fieger said.
According to the lawsuit, on May 31, 2018, Murriel was dropping off her infant son at his father's house near the intersection of Dover and Faust roads in Detroit. At the same time, Ashante Moore, who was dating the father of Murriel's son, was driving in the same area. Muriel had personal protection order against Moore due to previous heated incidents.
The suit states that as Murriel was getting her son out of the car, Moore drove her car toward Murriel in an attempt to run her over. That's when Murriel, a CPL carrier, pulled her gun and shot toward Moore's car because she was "fearing for her life and the life of her son," according to the document.
Several Detroit police officers responded to the scene, including Steele. The lawsuit states that police reports note that Murriel was "extremely compliant," and that she told officers that she had a CPL and she was carrying a firearm, which she had secured in the trunk of her car. She had also told them she fired toward Moore's car.
The document states several witnesses and the child's father supported Murriel's explanation that she was acting in self-defense. Despite the witness statements, Fieger alleges that officer Steele decided to arrest her.
"Steele decided to unlawfully seize and arrest the plaintiff. Defendant Steele suddenly and physically placed plaintiff under arrest. Plaintiff was holding her infant son in her arms at the time defendant Steele physically placed her under arrest," the lawsuit states.
The suit states that as Steele attempted to handcuff Murriel, she began screaming in pain as Steele was "viciously and savagely bending her left arm backward, forcing it to bend backward, in an abnormal manner." It states Steele broke her arm, snapping a bone in her elbow - the lateral epicondyle bone.
Attorney Todd Weglarz said Murriel was taken to the hospital, given an X-ray where it was determined her arm was broken, and was given a sling. She was jailed for four days without medical care before she was released.
All charges were later dropped. Weglarz says Murriel then had surgery and physical therapy, and is still recovering.
SNAPCHAT LAWSUIT
Fieger also announced a second woman on the behalf of Ariel Moore - no relation to Ashante Moore in the above listed case. Ariel Moore was recorded in the aforementioned Snapchat video filmed by Steele.
Moore was pulled over for an expired plate in late January. After pulling her over, Steele asked the woman to get out because he was going to tow her vehicle and she was then forced to walk back home in extremely cold temperatures.
Then Steele shot video of the woman walking with the caption "What black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month."
"To this day, the victims haven't heard from Mayor Duggan or Chief Craig or the City of Detroit and these lawsuits are a way to redress this," Fieger said.
The plaintiff is seeking $75,000.
Geoffrey Fieger Law - Facebook
April 27, 2019
Geoffrey Fieger, along with Attorneys Greg Wix and Todd Weglarz, held a press conference yesterday in the mock courtroom at Fieger Law.
They discussed the filing of two lawsuits against the Detroit Police Department and fired Detroit Police Officer Gary Steele, concerning the “Snapchat Walk of Shame” video incident and an assault on video by Steele, Breaking an innocent mother’s arm.
Watch for news unfolding on these cases.
Ex-Detroit officer who mocked black female motorist also allegedly broke another woman's arm
NBC News
April 29, 2019
Detroit police officer allegedly breaks woman's arm while arresting her
A former Detroit police officer who was fired after mocking a black motorist in a video he posted on social media is now facing two lawsuits over alleged racially motivated misconduct and abuse.
Gary Steele, who was fired earlier this year after posting the video of the black female driver, was sued Friday by that woman and another black woman whose arm he allegedly broke in 2018 while trying to arrest her.
Both lawsuits were filed in Wayne County Circuit Court and also list the Detroit Police Department and the City of Detroit.
Ariel Moore is suing for $75,000 after a January incident in which Steele and his former partner, Michael Garrison, who is also listed in Moore's suit, seized her car for driving with an expired license plate and forced her to walk home. The lawsuit said the incident happened at nighttime when the temperature was "dangerously below freezing."
Steele filmed Moore walking and posted the video on his Snapchat account, while he and Garrison remarked: "Walk of shame. In the cold" and "Bye Felicia," according to the lawsuit.
Steele captioned the post: “What black girl magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month.”
Steele and Garrison, both 18-year veterans of the Detroit Police Department, were fired from the force following the incident, Police Chief James Craig announced.
Craig said that both Garrison and Steele had histories of making disparaging remarks about black people, using words like "Keisha," "Jakes" and "homies."
Elaine Murriel, the woman who alleged Steele broke her arm, is suing for $25,000.
Murriel was dropping off her son at his father's house in May 2018 when the father's girlfriend tried to run her over with a car, and Murriel fired her legally owned firearm in self defense, her lawsuit alleges.
When officers arrived, she told them that she had a legally owned firearm and had recently discharged it, and she was she “extremely compliant,” according to officers’ reports, the lawsuit said.
But Steele "suddenly and physically" placed Murriel under arrest while she was holding her baby, according to the lawsuit. Steele ordered one officer to hold Murriel’s arms while telling another officer to “grab and rip the scared, crying child" from her hands, the lawsuit said.
While Steele was trying to handcuff Murriel by "pulling and yanking" on her arm and she was screaming in pain, Steele "viciously and savagely" bent her left arm backward "in an abnormal manner, and against the natural range of motion," the suit said.
Despite Murriel’s screaming, Steele pulled her arm back "with such force" that he broke it, according to the suit.
"Other responding officers were upset and angry over Steele’s conduct, and commented that Steele’s actions were completely unnecessary," said the suit.
Lawrence Garcia, who is representing the city, responded to the lawsuits by reiterating that the two officers have been fired.
Attorney Geoffrey Fieger, whose firm is bringing the suits, said, “When it costs them money, then they start making changes and that’s the purpose of these lawsuits,” according to NBC affiliate WDIV.
Former Detroit Cop Faces Legal Action After Breaking Black Woman's Arm During An Arrest
Gary Steele has already been fired but is now being sued for breaking one woman's arm and humiliating another
Blavity.com
May 01, 2019
Gary Steele used to be a member of the Detroit Police Department. However, things can change at any moment. The former officer is facing two lawsuits from Black women who claim he was racially abusive toward them.
Steele and his partner, Michael Garrison, were fired in February after the two seized a Black woman's car and made her walk home in the snow. During the incident, the two officers followed her and posted racist Snapchat videos of the ordeal. Detroit Police Chief James Craig said their department's investigation of Steele revealed that he had a history of being blatantly racist toward others and a penchant for brutality.
Currently, the two officers are facing lawsuits for their conduct in the Snapchat case. Steele is also facing a lawsuit for an incident in which he broke a woman's arm in the process.
Ariel Moore, the woman whose car was seized, is suing for $75,000. Meanwhile, Elaine Murriel, the woman who had her arm broken, is suing for $25,000. Both women are being represented by local attorney Geoffrey Fieger, who held a press conference on Saturday.
After seizing Moore's car, Steele drove the vehicle and used his Snapchat account to post a video of her walking. During the video, an officer says "Bye Felicia." Along with the videos, Steele included captions that read, “What Black Girl Magic looks like” and “celebrating Black History Month.”
Craig told local news outlets that their investigation uncovered decades of racial abuse by Steele and comments from other officers about the racist language he used.
"Terms he used on several occasions, such as 'Keisha,' 'Jakes' and 'homies,' which were all derogatory, demoralizing and degrading, and yes, racially insensitive in the context of which it was used," Craig said after firing Steele.
"Former police officer Steele has lost the trust of those he served and can no longer provide policing services in our city. The actions taken by former police officer Steele not only negatively impacted our community, but also people across this great nation."
Somehow, Steele was even worse in his conduct with Murriel, who was dropping her son off at his father's home. The father's girlfriend attempted to run over Murriel with a car, and she used her legal firearm to shoot at the vehicle. When the police were called, the officers said Murriel was calm, collected and responding to all their orders.
Steele showed up later and began to arrest her while she was holding her young child. During the arrest, Steele ended up yanking her arm behind her back so hard that he broke it. She was forced to undergo surgery to fix the break.
"Other responding officers were upset and angry over Steele’s conduct, and commented that Steele’s actions were completely unnecessary," Fieger said in the lawsuit.
Craig said after the Snapchat incident he received hundreds of letters, emails and Facebook messages from Detroit residents. Others questioned how an officer like Steele could have spent so many years on the force.
"What is even more frightening," one letter said, "is that this man has been doing this job for over 18 years. It begs the question of how many others were humiliated, shamed and mocked by a man who was supposed to respect, maintain and value law and order."
What Karma Looks Like:
Ex-Detroit Officer Who Mocked Woman in 'Black Girl Magic' Snapchat Video Sued Twice for Racist Abuse
The Root
May 01, 2019
If there were ever a pantheon of racists (aside from your middle school American history textbook, that is) former Detroit police officer Gary Steele surely deserves an honorable mention.
To wit: Steele was so racist he was actually fired from the Detroit Police Department along with his partner earlier this year after an incident where he seized a black woman’s car, mocked her on his SnapChat, and forced her to walk home in subfreezing temperatures.
As she walked alone in the cold, Steele placed a Black History Month-themed “What Black Girl Magic Looks Like” filter on her.
She had an expired license plate.
Now, Steele is being sued by that woman, Ariel Moore, along with another black woman, Elaine Murriel, whose arm he allegedly broke during an arrest in 2018.
According to NBC News, citing the lawsuit filed by on April 26, Detroit police responded to an incident in which Murriel fired a firearm in self-defense:
Murriel was dropping off her son at his father’s house in May 2018 when the father’s girlfriend tried to run her over with a car, and Murriel fired her legally owned firearm in self defense, her lawsuit alleges.
When officers arrived, she told them that she had a legally owned firearm and had recently discharged it, and she was “extremely compliant,” according to officers’ reports, the lawsuit said.
That is, until Steele escalated the situation by violently placing Murriel under arrest, the suit claims. The 18-year veteran ordered one officer to hold Murriel’s arms and instructed another to rip her child from her arms.
From NBC News:
While Steele was trying to handcuff Murriel by “pulling and yanking” on her arm and she was screaming in pain, Steele “viciously and savagely” bent her left arm backward “in an abnormal manner, and against the natural range of motion,” the suit said.
Despite Murriel’s screaming, Steele pulled her arm back “with such force” that he broke it, according to the suit.
According to a previous NBC News report, Steele pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 2008 for attacking his ex-girlfriend and firing a gun.
Moore and Murriel’s lawsuits were filed separately on the same day. Moore is seeking $75,000 in damages from Steele and his former partner, Michael Garrison, as well as the Detroit Police Department, and the City of Detroit. Murriel is asking for $25,000.
Both suits will be represented by attorney Geoffrey Fieger, who told WDIV TV the purpose of the cases is to push DPD and the City of Detroit to enact meaningful changes to their policing.
“When it costs them money, then they start making changes,” Fieger said.
Lawsuits against ex-Detroit police officer over Snapchat video move forward
Detroit Free Press
May 31, 2019
Two separate civil suits against a former Detroit Police officer who was fired for a racist Snapchat video are moving forward to status hearings in July.
The lawsuits, each filed in Wayne County Circuit Court in April, named the City of Detroit, Detroit Police Department and former officer Gary Steele.
One of the other suits also named former Detroit officer Michael Garrison.
Steele and Garrison were both terminated in February and March respectively from the police department after a racist Snapchat video, showing a woman, Ariel Moore, walking home after her car was seized.
The video included the captions, "What black girl magic looks like" and "Celebrating Black History Month."
Moore is suing the officers over the incident. Another woman, Elain Murriel, filed a separate lawsuit, saying that Steele broke her arm in a 2018 incident.
Attorney Todd Weglarz, who is representing Murriel, could not be reached for comment.
Murriel's lawsuit said Steele decided to arrest her "suddenly and physically." She was holding her son in her arms and was told to put her hands behind her back.
The lawsuit also stated that Murriel was taken to a hospital and told her arm was broken.
Weglarz said in April that Murriel was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail, and an exam showed that her arm was broken. He said Murriel was given a sling, and stayed in jail for four days until she was released with no charges.
Police body camera video of the incident was shown at an April news conference.
'Sissies,' 'terror threat': Detroit police grapple with officers' social media missteps
Detroit News
July 15, 2019
Detroit — Weeks before a white rookie Detroit police officer was fired last year for a racially insensitive Snapchat post, a black sergeant reposted an article on Facebook bearing the headline: “White Americans are the biggest terror threat in the United States.”
The sergeant, who was assigned to the unit that investigates officers’ use of force, was transferred to another command but received no further punishment.
Another officer in 2016 posted a Facebook missive referring to the gay victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as "sissies." He was not disciplined.
Detroit cops who violated the department's social media policy in recent years have received varying levels of punishment — from termination to no discipline at all.
The policy was implemented in March 2011 after an officer was put on desk duty for posting a photo of a crime scene on Facebook.
"When using social media, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc., department members shall be mindful that their ... postings become part of the worldwide electronic domain," the policy reads. "Therefore, adherence to the Detroit Police Department's Code of Conduct policy is required when utilizing social media."
Under the code of conduct, officers are required to maintain professional decorum on or off duty and avoid actions that could embarrass the department.
The Detroit department isn't alone in grappling with fallout from officers' social media posts. Last month, for instance, Philadelphia's police commissioner put 72 officers on administrative duty amid a national group’s accusation that cops in at least five states had posted racist and anti-Muslim comments online.
Former Michigan State Police director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue faced calls for her resignation in fall 2017 after sharing a post on her Facebook page mocking “degenerate” professional football players for silent protests during the national anthem. Gov. Rick Snyder, who left office at the end of last year, rejected those calls but docked her five days' pay.
Detroit police Chief James Craig said problems with former internal affairs commanders and differences in the officers’ discipline histories are largely responsible for the disparity in discipline.
“There were some internal affairs cases that fell into black holes,” Craig said. "That was a big part of the issues we were having over there."
In April, Craig told The Detroit News he was troubled by lack of oversight in the Professional Standards Section, prompting him to change the unit's management structure.
One of the cases Craig said was mishandled involved Sgt. Kerrie Petties, who in 2016 posted messages to Facebook that violated the department's social media policy.
After the June 12, 2016, shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando that left 49 people dead, Petties posted: “Shout out to the American Politician for going bananas over a bunch of sissies killed in a club, but when church going God fearing people were murdered in a church it was business as usual.”
In another 2016 Facebook post, Petties, who is black, used a slur to refer to other African Americans.
In the same post, Petties wrote: "A White boy walks into a house of worship and commits and act of terrorism, and he is taken into custody. Angry ass, dysfunctional White men, who’s (sic) lives are impetant (sic), fruitless, and dry in the face of all the damn advantages that White America provides for them, they kill at will.”
Cmdr. Elaine Bryant, who became commanding officer of the Professional Standards Section in January as part of Craig's restructuring of the unit, said: "That case fell through the cracks. An investigation was conducted and completed, and discipline was recommended. I don't know why the case was never forwarded to the Discipline Section."
Bryant said Petties took a lengthy medical leave after his case was investigated. She said when she began reviewing old cases after she assumed command, she found nobody had followed up on the investigator's recommendation that Petties be disciplined.
After discovering the problem, Bryant said: "We were waiting on him to return to work in order to serve him (with a discipline notice). He returned to work (two weeks ago), but now he's retiring (this week), so there's really nothing we can do. But we did try to adjudicate his case."
The issue of Detroit cops’ social media use made headlines earlier this year, when former officers Gary Steele and Michael Garrison were fired after Steele posted a Snapchat video mocking black motorist Ariel Moore.
Steele and Garrison, white officers who worked in the 6th Precinct, are heard on the video taunting Moore after they pulled her over and impounded her car Jan. 29 on Detroit's west side.
Bryant said Steele and Garrison were guilty of other infractions besides their social media posts.
"They had other things on their record, so we consider the totality of the circumstances, not just the social media posts," Bryant said. "They were ultimately fired because of issues with untruthfulness."
In September 2018, white probationary officer Sean Bostwick was fired after he posted on Snapchat: "Another night to Rangel (sic) up these zoo animals."
Because Bostwick was on probation, Craig said he was able to fire him without a discipline hearing, which tenured employees are entitled to under labor agreements with the Detroit Police Officers Association and Lieutenants and Sergeants Association unions.
Two weeks before Bostwick's termination, Sgt. Larry Campbell reposted the article on Facebook calling white men terrorists. He wrote above the article: "The truth isn't popular."
Internal affairs investigators recommended Campbell be disciplined, but the case was dismissed during an appeal, Bryant said.
"His case was appealed (in November 2018), and the case was dismissed at the appeal hearing," Bryant said. "I don't know why the case was dismissed.
"We can't go back and discipline officers on these cases that have already been heard and adjudicated," she said. "But (Campbell) was transferred out of that unit."
Mark Young, president of the Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, declined to comment about specific cases because he said he hadn't seen the posts by members of his union, Campbell and Petties.
But, Young added: "I think everyone should be careful what they post on social media, because they could offend citizens, and these are the people we risk our lives for. So why would we want to offend them?"
Detroit Police Officers Association union officials did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Although the two officers who avoided discipline are African American, Bryant said race was not a factor, pointing out that white officers who violated the social media policy also have kept their jobs.
Among them was Nate Weekley, who was demoted in 2016 after posting on Facebook that Black Lives Matter members were "racists" and "terrorists." He later regained his detective rank.
Officer Mario White, who is black, is awaiting discipline for several Facebook posts last year, Bryant said. One of the messages was posted after Arizona Sen. John McCain died on Aug. 25, 2018.
White posted a picture of former President George H.W. Bush and wrote: “RIP John McCain. I want to apologize for posting the wrong photo. Certain people look alike to me and Fox News.”
After a black woman climbed the Statue of Liberty on July 4, 2018, to protest President Donald Trump's immigration policies, White wrote: “More ignorance... . Wonder if she climbed her dumb black ass up there to protest mass incarceration of her own people?”
In other posts, White referred to Detroit citizens as “hood rats,” and mocked a mentally ill woman.
"He was found guilty of several violations, and he'll get a chance to appeal," Bryant said. "The case is still being adjudicated."
In what police officials say is another social media violation, Officer Royer Hernandez in 2017 posted to Facebook a photo of a rapper who'd been gunned down while sitting in his car on Detroit's east side.
Hernandez was among the officers who responded to the October 2017 shooting death of 29-year-old Rodney Yeargin, whose stage name was Doughboy Ric. Police officials say Hernandez removed a sheet covering the victim's face at the crime scene, snapped a cellphone picture, and posted it on Facebook.
Hernandez was suspended for 10 days, Bryant said. "Six of the days were served immediately, and he was allowed to hold the other four in abeyance for two years," she said.
Bryant said investigators also forwarded Hernandez's case to Wayne County prosecutors. "They determined there wasn't enough evidence to bring charges," she said.
2 ex-cops won't be charged over mocking Snapchat video
Detroit News
September 24, 2019
Criminal charges will not be filed against two former Detroit police officers who were heard on a Snapchat video mocking a black motorist after a traffic stop in January, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Tuesday.
“A thorough and complete review of the allegations against former Detroit Police Department Corporal Gary Steele and Officer Michael Garrison shows reprehensible, disturbing and unprofessional conduct following a January 29, 2019 police stop of a 24-year-old woman," Worthy said in a statement.
"However, we are charged with determining whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a crime," she said. "There is insufficient evidence to criminally charge either officer. The allegations reviewed could support other possible liability.”
Steele posted the video after a Jan. 29 traffic stop on Detroit's west side.
Steele and his partner Garrison, who are white, are heard on the video mocking Ariel Moore, the woman they'd pulled over.
The video, first aired by WXYZ-TV (Ch. 7) shows Moore walking home as Steele says "priceless" and "bye Felicia" with caption tags that read, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month."
Garrison is allegedly heard on the video saying "walk of shame."
Police Chief James Craig fired Steele and Garrison and the department submitted a warrant request to Wayne County prosecutors for possible criminal charges against Steele. He declined to comment Tuesday, saying he had not been notified of the decision by the prosecutor's office.
In a news release, Worthy's office said Steele did not create the video while conducting police business or while using police property. "The video was taken after, not during, the time the citizen was in custody," the release says. "There is insufficient evidence to show that during his interaction with the woman that he treated the woman unfairly or inequitably during the official police interaction."
After the video surfaced, Craig launched two investigations: An internal probe into the video itself; and an "environmental audit" of the 6th Precinct, where the two officers were assigned, to determine whether there was widespread racial animosity among officers.
In March, Craig said the audit found a racial divide, adding that Steele and Garrison fueled many of the hostilities. The chief said the two cops would often target black citizens to tow their vehicles at the end of their shift so they didn't have to respond to other runs.
Worthy also declined to issue charges against Steele in connection with an incident May 31, 2018, in which the officer arrested a woman while she was holding her infant child.
The prosecutor's office gave this account of the incident, which it said was captured on body cameras worn by Steele and other officers:
The woman, 23, admitted to police she had shot at someone else and claimed self-defense. When Steele told her she would be arrested, she refused to give the child to another officer for safekeeping until her mother arrived.
Steele offered to let the woman call her mother to get the baby but the woman declined, saying she wanted to walk a block away to give the infant to someone.
Steele told officers to take the child, which they did safely, but slipped her arm free when Steele went to arrest her and suffered a broken arm as the officer tried to handcuff her.
"The victim was objectively resisting arrest when her arm was fractured as Steele was trying to handcuff her," the prosecutor's office said in its statement. "The victim backed away repeatedly and said that she was not going to be arrested."
The statement added that Steele's force "appears reasonable and not done intentionally to cause harm."
Detroit officers fired after racist Snapchat won't face criminal charges
Fox News - Detroit
September 24, 2019
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Two Detroit police officers fired after a disparaging Snapchat post of a young woman during a traffic stop surfaced won't face criminal charges, the Wayne County prosecutor's office announced Tuesday.
The prosecutor's office investigated a racial incident from earlier this year that sparked concern and a department audit to determine whether the officers involved should be charged criminally.
On Jan. 28, former Cpl. Gary Steele and Michael Garrison of Detroit's 6th Precinct pulled over a young woman for an expired plate on Stout Street near Joy Road on the city's west side. Garrison told the woman, identified as Ariel Moore, to get out of the car so it could be towed. Steele didn't speak with the woman.
Moore was ticketed and was not permitted to drive the car home, but was told she could stay in the car until a tow truck came, the prosecutor's office said. She declined and decided to walk a block away to her home in cold temperatures.
"The incident was recorded on the DPD body worn camera (BWC) video. BWC evidence shows that Steele and Garrison treated the citizen fairly during the official police interaction," according to the prosecutor's office report.
The report states that's when Steele took a Snapchat video of the woman walking home with the filter "Black Girl Magic." It is alleged Garrison can be heard in the background saying "walk of shame," and Steele saying, "Bye Felisha" when the woman could no longer be seen.
According to the prosecutor's office analysis, the case was analyzed as misconduct in office. It was determined videotaping a person in public is lawful and it was taken after, not during, the time the person was in custody.
"There is insufficient evidence to show that during his interaction with the woman that he treated the woman unfairly or inequitably during the official police interaction," the report states.
Before the prosecutor's report, Detroit Police Chief James Craig spoke to media after the video surfaced and said the stop was lawful, but towing fees were paid for the woman and that an apology was issued.
Steele was investigated and Craig said there were a total of 24 allegations --11 sustained in three specific areas: his social media post, the improper characterization of a community member, and knowingly making false statements during interviews with internal officers.
Craig said the terms used were "derogatory, demoralizing and degrading, and yes, racially insensitive."
After 18 years with the department, Steele was fired. Craig said they conducted an environmental audit looking at the entire department.
"Keysha, Jakes, homie, and ghetto sledge... In what we determined through the environmental audit, ghetto sledge referenced vehicles operated by African Americans," said Craig.
Garrison and Steele were put on leave. While it was Steele who was caught on camera stating derogatory things and later fired for the incident, the review also found that Garrison demonstrated distrubing actions while on the job. Garrison was subsequently fired as well.
The chief said the officers would avoid working overtime by ticketing and towing cars at the end of their shift. A pattern later emerged showing the owners of those vehicles were primarily African American. However, others say that pattern extended beyond just one demographic.
Though neither officer will face criminal charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says the alleged conduct could support other possible liability, saying in a statement:
"A thorough and complete review of the allegations against former Detroit Police Department Corporal Gary Steele and Officer Michael Garrison shows reprehensible, disturbing and unprofessional conduct following a January 29, 2019 police stop of a 24-year-old woman. However, we are charged with determining whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a crime. There is insufficient evidence to criminally charge either officer. The allegations reviewed could support other possible liability."
Prosecutor: No charges against ex-Detroit police officers fired for Snapchat video
Detroit Free Press
Sept. 24, 2019
Charges will not be filed against two white ex-Detroit police officers who were fired amid an investigation into racist comments and social media posts about a traffic stop.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Tuesday there is "insufficient evidence to criminally charge" Gary Steele or Michael Garrison.
Steele was fired in February after a video on his Snapchat account showed him saying "priceless" and "bye Felicia" as a black woman walked home.
Her car was stopped for speeding and had an expired license plate.
The video's captions read "what black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month."
Police announced in March that Garrison, Steele's partner, was fired after investigators found he had made disturbing comments about blacks and other minorities.
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from the police union.
No charges issued against two DPD officers accused of posting racist Snapchat video
WXYZ News - Detroit
September 24, 2019
DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said they will not charge two former Detroit police officers accused of posting a racist Snapchat video.
WXYZ first broke the story in January. video posted to Snapchat showed a Detroit police traffic stop near Joy Road and Stout. In the video, the officer, identified as Corporal Gary Steele, makes a few condescending remarks toward 23-year-old Ariel Moore, an African American woman he instructed to walk home in below freezing weather. She was pulled over for having expired license tabs.
After learning of the post, Craig said the incident would be investigated thoroughly. Fifty-five people were interviewed during the investigation.
In February, Steele was fired, and a few weeks later, a second officer involved in the case, Officer Michael Garrison, was also fired.
Steele and Garrison observed a vehicle speeding without proper license plate tabs riven by a 24-year-old Detroit woman, the prosecutor's office said. They signaled for her to pull over, and Garrison told her why and "maintained a professional demeanor throughout the interaction."
The prosecutor's office said Garrison issued the woman a ticket, and she became upset when she was told she couldn't drive the car home, but could stay inside until a tow truck came. According to the office, she declined to stay in the car and said she lived around the corner, and she was having a video chat with a riend who said she could pick her up, but she declined and walked from her car to her home.
According to the prosecutor's office, the incident was recorded on DPD's boyd cameras, and evidence showed "Steele and Garrison treated the citizen fairly during the official police interaction."
As the woman walked away, the prosecutor's office said Steele recorded her from his phone and put the video on Snapchat. It had a filter saying "Black Girl Magic," and it is alleged that Garrison can be heard in the background saying, "Walk of shame," and after she can't be seen, Steele is heard saying, "Bye Felisha."
A warrant request was submitted for Steele but not Garrison.
“A thorough and complete review of the allegations against former Detroit Police Department Corporal Gary Steele and Officer Michael Garrison shows reprehensible, disturbing and unprofessional conduct following a January 29, 2019 police stop of a 24-year-old woman," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "However, we are charged with determining whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a crime. There is insufficient evidence to criminally charge either officer. The allegations reviewed could support other possible liability.”
According to the prosecutor, the case must be analyzed as a misconduct in office case. The prosecutor's office said that videotaping someone in public is lawful, and the First Amendment ensures that even hate speech is protected.
The prosecutor's office said that Stelle didn't create the video while exercising police duties or under color of office, and it was not taken using police custody. They said that the video was taken after, not during the time the woman was in custody, and there is insufficient evidence to show that during the interaction, he treated the woman unfairly.
"While the Snapchat Video and the comments made on it by Steele are abhorrent and unbecoming a law enforcement officer, it does not support a charge of misconduct in office. The alleged comment made by Garrison is also highly disturbing and unacceptable for a law enforcement officer. The alleged conduct is something that could support other possible liability," a statement read.
White Detroit cop claims racial, age bias after demotion over viral video
Detroit News
October 23, 2019
Detroit — A white Detroit police captain has filed a federal lawsuit claiming racial and age discrimination after he was demoted in the wake of a controversy surrounding a social media video that showed two white cops taunting an African American woman.
Gary Sroka, whose attorneys filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Detroit, was a captain in the 6th Precinct when the video surfaced in January. He says in the 11-page lawsuit that he and another white official were unfairly punished while black command staff escaped discipline.
"Defendants discriminated against and treated Sroka less favorably than similarly situated employees due to his race," said the lawsuit, which names the city and police department as defendants.
City attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
The video in question was uploaded to Snapchat by former officer Gary Steele, who, along with partner Michael Garrison pulled over motorist Ariel Moore on the city's west side Jan. 29 for an expired license registration. The officers ordered the vehicle impounded.
The clip shows shows Moore walking from the scene as Steele says "priceless" and "bye Felicia" with caption tags that read, "What black girl magic looks like," and "celebrating Black History Month." Garrison is heard on the video saying "walk of shame."
After the video went viral, police chief James Craig launched an "internal audit" of the 6th Precinct. Craig said the audit found a "racially tone deaf" culture at the precinct.
Steele and Garrison were fired in February, and Craig also told Sroka and another white captain, Kenneth Balinski, they could either retire or be demoted to lieutenant, said the lawsuit, which doesn't specify damages sought.
"Sroka chose to accept a demotion to lieutenant because he had no intention of retiring for several more years, while Balinski chose to retire," the lawsuit said.
Sroka said the video surfaced during his first week after being transferred to the 6th Precinct.
"Immediately upon release of the video, Sroka initiated directives within the 6th Precinct against racism and intended to address and omit any racial tensions or racially divided atmosphere within the 6th Precinct," the lawsuit said.
"Sroka was held by Craig as partially responsible for the racially discriminatory atmosphere in the 6th Precinct, although Sroka had not been with the 6th Precinct before or at the time the video was recorded and when the racially divided atmosphere in the 6th Precinct was developed and/or tolerated," the suit said.
"The commanding officers at the 6th Precinct while the racially divided atmosphere in the 6th Precinct was developed and/or tolerated and before the video was released and/or at the time of its release were Commanders Arnold Williams and Tiffany Stewart (Warren), both African American and both in their 40’s," the lawsuit said.
"Stewart, who had served as a Command Officer of the 6th Precinct before and when the video was filmed, moved to a different position within the DPD just before Sroka moved to the 6th Precinct," the lawsuit said.
The suit added: "Williams was a Command Officer at the 6th Precinct before and when the video was filmed, when it was released, when the racially divided atmosphere at the 6th Precinct was prevalent, and he remains as Command Officer of the 6th Precinct today.
"Neither Williams nor Stewart were demoted, disciplined, or held responsible for the racially divided atmosphere in the 6th Precinct under their commands," the lawsuit claimed.
A phone call to the Detroit Police Command Officers Association was not immediately returned Wednesday.
In March, Sroka was demoted to the lieutenant rank and assigned to the Assets and Licensing Department, "which job placement Sroka equated to being put out to pasture until retirement," the suit said.
"As a result of his demotion and re-assignment, Sroka has experienced loss of respect within the DPD, loss of self-esteem, loss of sleep, anxiety, depression, negative impact on his personal relationships, and other emotional damages," according to the lawsuit.
Sroka's attorney, Caitlin E. Malhiot, said Wednesday: "Our position is pretty detailed in the complaint. We’re looking for economic and emotional damages, although we haven’t made a demand for a specific number at this time."
Lawsuit claims white Detroit cop demoted because of his race following viral Snapchat video
Detroit Metro Times
October 23, 2019
Former Detroit police captain Gary Sroka is the subject of a recent federal lawsuit and is one of four commanding officers found to have exhibited “a lack of management, awareness, and action” regarding racial insensitivity within the precinct. Sroka, who is white, claims in an 11-page lawsuit obtained by The Detroit News that actions taken against him were the result of race and age discrimination.
The lawsuit is the result of an ongoing internal and environmental audit of Detroit's 6th Precinct launched earlier this year by Detroit Police Chief James Craig, stemming from the firing of two white Detroit Police officers who participated in a racially insensitive and now viral Snapchat video during which both men can be heard mocking a Black woman during a routine traffic stop.
Former officer Gary Steele shared a video after stopping 23-year-old Ariel Moore for an expired license plate tag on Jan. 29. The video, which was posted on Steele's personal Snapchat account, followed Moore as she walked home in frigid temperatures and included in-app captions, "What Black girl magic looks like" and "Celebrating Black History Month." Steele also said, "bye Felicia," while his partner Michael Garrison can be heard mocking Moore with comments like "walk of shame" that can be heard in the video.
The probe, which involved more than 100 interviews, revealed a racially toxic culture within the 6th Precinct fueled in part by the indifference of supervisors, including Sroka, though he had been transferred to the 6th Precinct a week prior to the video surfacing. As previously reported, two-thirds of the precinct’s afternoon shift were white male officers in a city where more than 80 percent of residents are Black.
Sroka claims within the lawsuit that the racial tone-deafness discovered by Craig's probe existed before his transfer and suggests that discipline for the intolerance or lack of awareness should fall equally on Arnold Williams and Tiffany Stewart, both of whom are Black and were acting commanding officers when the video was recorded.
The lawsuit states that Sroka had opted for demotion in March, which led to accepting a lieutenant ranking and reassignment to the Assets and Licensing Department rather than taking early retirement, as one of his fellow embroiled supervisors chose to do.
In a statement to The Detroit News on Wednesday, Sroka's attorney, Caitlin E. Malhio, said that they “haven't made a demand for a specific number at this time.” The lawsuit addresses claims that Sroka has suffered “loss of respect within the DPD, loss of self-esteem, loss of sleep, anxiety, depression, negative impact on his personal relationships, and other emotional damages.”
As of last month, it was decided that neither former Officer Steele nor Garrison would face criminal charges due to “insufficient evidence.”
Detroit police officer files lawsuit over Snapchat video
Click On Detroit
October 24, 2019
DETROIT – A Detroit police captain has filed a lawsuit claiming racial discrimination after being demoted over a controversial Snapchat video.
Gary Sroka claims he and another white officer were unfairly punished while a black command member was not disciplined.
The video in question uploaded by former Officer Gary Steele shows a black woman walking home after having her car was towed with the caption "Black girl magic."
Steele was fired in February.
How troubled cops stay on Michigan police forces, even after being fired
Channel 7 News - WXYZ Detroit
June 23, 2020
Arbitrator's decisions kept or promoted officers after departments took action
(WXYZ) — As cities grapple with how police departments should change in the wake of nationwide protests, questions are being raised about how troubled officers have been allowed to stay on some police forces, even when their own department doesn’t want them.
In 2015, the Detroit Police Department moved to fire Michael Garrison for shooting a deer in a public park, then providing false statements to investigators.
Garrison appealed the department’s decision to an arbitrator, who ruled that Garrison should be suspended, not terminated, for 60 days. He returned to the police force.
Four years later, a racist Snapchat video surfaced showing Garrison and his partner mocking a black woman whose car they had just impounded, using filters that said “Celebrating Black History Month” and “Black Girl Magic.”
Garrison was fired again. But critics of the police arbitration system say it shouldn’t have taken two terminations to remove him from the department.
“In this state in general, and the city of Detroit, the police unions are very strong and very powerful,” said William Davis, a member of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners.
Through their union contracts, officers in Detroit and elsewhere are entitled to appeal terminations and other discipline to an arbitrator. Critics say it allows troubled cops to stay on the force and commit more bad acts.
“Police officers should be held to a higher standard,” Davis said, “not a lower standard.”
DPD officer Dewayne Jones was caught on camera repeatedly punching a combative mentally ill woman in a Detroit hospital. He ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.
Jones stayed on the force and was soon eligible for a promotion. When Detroit’s Board of Police Commissioners learned that he could soon be elevated, they voted 9-0 to block his promotion.
But an arbitrator overruled the board. Today, Jones is a sergeant.
“A lot of these officers, they know the game,” police commissioner Daryl Brown.
Arbitration relies heavily on past practice. In the case of Sgt. Jones, he was eligible for a promotion, because years earlier, a different officer with a similar disciplinary history was promoted, too.
“The other thing a lot of them try to harp on is past practice,” Brown said. “And that’s what we have to lean towards. Is changing these practices that are bringing these officers back.”
In 2018, Michigan State Police fired Trooper Ethan Berger. He was involved in the death of Damon Grimes after chasing him in his ATV, allowing his partner to shoot him with a taser.
MSP said Berger violated their road block policy, lied to investigators and filed a false police report. They wanted him fired, but an arbitrator decided to only suspend him.
“I don’t think arbitration is the problem,” said Jim Tignanelli, President of the Police
Officers Association of Michigan. “I think it helps us resolve the dispute more quickly.”
Tignanell says arbitration allows employment disputes to be resolved without clogging up courtrooms and points out that both sides have to agree on which arbitrator will decide a case.
“I hear too often that unions are only here to protect bad cops,” he said. “And I resent that because the fact of the matter is, a bad cop makes all of our guys work a little harder.”
Trooper Dan Thompson was fired by MSP in 2017 following a traffic stop where he pulled over what turned out to be the son of a county sheriff.
After the trooper found marijuana in the car, he placed a call to the sheriff which was recorded by his dash camera.
“I'm willing to do whatever to make this go away man, just between me and you,” he said.
MSP said the young man admitted to selling marijuana, but Thompson wrote he was arrested for only possession.
State police say Thompson lied to investigators about the arrest and tried to fire him. But the arbitrator gave him his job back, as WJRT reported in 2018.
“Does a cop calling another cop offering to make something go away sound like a cop we should be employing?” asked Channel 7’s Ross Jones.
“It does if you’re the guy who’s on the other end of the phone,” said Tignanelli, adding that the officer has discretion.
Police reform advocates say it’s time that, at a minimum, departments challenge arbitration awards that bring troubled officers back to the force.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Commissioner William Davis said. “Police officers have a very (thankless), very difficult, underpaid job.”
“But you know when we have bad actors, there should be some consequences.”
