Racist Aurora Cop Back On The Job After Being Fired
Body camera footage captured an Aurora police officer uttering a racial slur, but he is back at work after the chief fired him.
Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz is condemning the comments and agreed to do an interview because he says he owes the community an explanation.
“I reviewed the video, to say I was shocked was an understatement,” said Chief Metz.
The video shows two officers at the scene of a pursuit and officer-involved shooting on June 18, 2017.
Former Lt. Charles DeShazer can be heard saying, “We have all the Alabama porch monkeys contained.”
The comment was not overheard by any members of the public, but the camera picked it up. Chief Metz said he took action as soon as he found out about the incident just a day or two later. The chief took DeShazer off the street to investigate the incident and then he was fired.
The officer filed an appeal, and the city’s Civil Service Commission reviewed the decision to terminate him. A report was issued about the findings, calling the comment highly offensive and inflammatory, but it said the discipline was excessive.
The commission heard the appeal on June 19 of this year, and the officer is now back at work. He will not be in a supervisory role or have any interactions with the public.
“I respect their decision, but that doesn’t mean I have to agree with it,” said Chief Metz.