WATCH: Police Officer Fired After Shocking Video Of Alleged Force In Stop Of Biracial Army Officer

A Virginia police officer accused of pepper-spraying and pointing his gun at a biracial Army officer during a traffic stop in December of 2020 was fired hours after Gov. Ralph Northam called for an independent investigation into the case on Sunday.

Lt. Caron Nazario, who is black and Latino, was pepper-sprayed and knocked to the ground by Officer Joe Gutierrez, according to police body camera footage and lawsuit documents filed earlier this month. Nazario claims that Gutierrez and Officer Daniel Crocker violated his First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights.

My statement on the encounter between Lieutenant Caron Nazario and two officers from the Windsor Police Department: pic.twitter.com/GcfL5YeIRm

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) April 11, 2021

Northam called the encounter “disturbing” and requested that the Virginia State Police review the incident. Shortly after, the town of Windsor released a statement, acknowledging the incident and revealing Gutierrez’s termination from his position.

“Our Commonwealth has done important work on police reform, but we must keep working to ensure Virginians are safe during interactions with police, the enforcement of laws is fair and equitable, and people are held accountable,” Northam said in a statement.

The officers did not follow department policy, according to an investigation on use of force opened at the time. The statement said that disciplinary action was taken against Gutierrez as additional training requirements were implemented in January. (Read more from “WATCH: Police Officer Fired After Shocking Video Of Alleged Force In Stop Of Biracial Army Officer” HERE)

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