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.
UPDATE: Second Detroit police officer fired in connection with 'racially insensitive' Snapchat
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.
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