Police officer returns to duty after being fired over racial slur

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 he 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,” Metz said.

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. Metz said he took action as soon as he found out about the incident a day or two later. The chief took DeShazer off the street to investigate the incident and then fired him.

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, and the officer was then reinstated. He will not be in a supervisory role or have any interactions with the public.