Cop fired over officer clash
RICHMOND: One of two police officers in the state of Virginia accused of assaulting a US Army lieutenant by pointing their guns and pepper spraying him during a traffic stop has been fired.
Officer Joe Gutierrez was sacked after an investigation determined he did not follow policies of the local police department, the town of Windsor, Virginia, announced.
The statement did not detail any breaches or punishments for the other officer involved in the incident, Daniel Crocker.
The firing comes after United States Army officer Caron Nazario filed a lawsuit against the two police officers in a federal court over what court papers say was a violent traffic stop on Dec 5, 2020, when officers pointed their guns, knocked him to the ground, pepper sprayed him and “threatened to murder him”.
Mr Nazario, who is Latino and black, alleged that Mr Gutierrez and officer Crocker violated the Army lieutenant’s constitutional rights, with his lawsuit including assault, illegal search and illegal detention.
Before the confirmation of the sacking, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said he was directing the Virginia State Police to conduct an independent investigation into the case.
Windsor town joined the governor in calling for an investigation of the incident by the Virginia police and a full review of the actions of the two police officers.