What this is
Harris County prosecutors are reviewing all cases involving a Houston police officer fired for racist remarks to protect justice and civil rights.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office is reviewing cases involving former Houston Police Department officer Ashley Gonzalez, who was fired by the department last week after a viral video depicted her making racist remarks.
In a statement, the district attorney's office confirmed to Houston Public Media it had begun "the thorough, analytical process of reviewing every case involving" Gonzalez.
"Racism is abhorrent; the fact that we have to lead the statement with this is disgraceful," the DA’s office said in its statement Monday. "We take seriously our ethical obligation to notify defense attorneys regarding her discipline effecting open cases."
Houston Public Media has independently requested public records pertaining to Gonzalez's work in the police department. Those records had not yet been shared as of Monday afternoon.
Gonzalez was fired from the Houston Police Department (HPD) on Friday, days after a viral video showed her making racist comments about Black people. Several Houston-area civil rights leaders condemned Gonzalez and the video. She had initially been placed on leave by HPD before being fired less than a week later.
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Two Houston City Council members have also called for a comprehensive review of Gonzalez's work. City council member Edward Pollard, who represents District J, said he sent a letter to District Attorney Sean Teare and Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, calling for an investigation into Gonzalez' arrests over the last two years.
"The use of racial slurs, particularly on the context of law enforcement activity, calls into question whether bias may have influenced her actions while on duty," Pollard wrote in the letter, which he shared on social media. "Our residents deserve clarity regarding whether anyone's rights were compromised and whether any cases may have been impacted by discriminatory behavior."
Following Gonzalez's suspension from HPD, but prior to her firing, at-large council member Alejandra Salinas shared a statement on Facebook, calling for the department to "review any prior arrests, reports, and testimony tied to this officer to determine whether a pattern of racial bias impacted past cases and whether any Houstonians' rights were violated."
Representatives from HPD did not immediately return a request for comment.
“The behavior exhibited by Ashley Gonzalez was abhorrent, disgusting, and entirely unacceptable,” Diaz said Friday in an announcement about Gonzalez’s firing. “It is deeply disturbing and has no place in law enforcement or in our community.”
A spokesperson for Houston Mayor John Whitmire did not immediately return a request for comment. As chief of police, Diaz reports to Whitmire and not the city council.
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