‘Abhorrent, disgusting, and entirely unacceptable’: Ashley Gonzalez fired from HPD following racist social media rant

HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department has terminated Officer Ashley Gonzalez, saying she is no longer employed by the department as of today.

In a statement released Friday, HPD said it “holds every officer to the highest standards of integrity and conduct, and will not waver in upholding these expectations.”

• PREVIOUS REPORT: Suspended HPD officer still on paid leave after racist Instagram video; meeting set with Houston Police Chief

The department said Gonzalez was immediately relieved of duty after the incident was discovered and that an investigation was conducted “as fast as legally possible” in compliance with state civil service laws.

“The behavior exhibited by Ashley Gonzalez was abhorrent, disgusting, and entirely unacceptable,” Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr. said in the statement. “It is deeply disturbing and has no place in law enforcement or in our community.”

• RELATED: ‘Extremely disturbed’: Houston Police Department officer relieved of duty after racist rant goes viral on social media

Gonzalez was suspended after an Instagram video surfaced appearing to show her using racist slurs, as KPRC 2 News previously reported. She had remained on paid leave while Internal Affairs investigated, with a meeting scheduled between Gonzalez and Diaz to determine whether she would remain relieved of duty or be terminated.

Following the news of Gonzalez’s termination, Mayor John Whitmire released this statement:

“The comments in the video recorded by former Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez are outrageous and reprehensible. I was shocked and deeply disappointed to hear a Houston police officer use such foul and offensive language.  

“Her actions do not reflect the values of our city or the Houston Police Department, nor the standards we expect from those sworn to serve and protect our community. 

“Let me be clear: this behavior is unacceptable. I applaud HPD Chief Diaz for suspending Gonzalez when the department became aware of the video and firing her as soon as the state civil service process allowed.  

“Let this incident serve as a warning to all City of Houston employees. There is zero tolerance for racism in my administration, and if you see it, report it immediately.

“I ask all Houstonians to rededicate ourselves to human rights and respect for others.” 

Mayor John Whitmire