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Detroit police officers suspended for Snapchat video taunting woman

detroit police car
Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Two Detroit police officers are under investigation for allegedly making racially demeaning comments during a traffic stop.

Officer Gary Steele and an unidentified officer stopped Ariel Moore last week for driving with an expired license plate. Moore's vehicle was seized by the officers.

WXYZ reports that video posted to Steele's Snapchat account showed Moore walking home, as he says "priceless" and "bye Felicia." The caption tags read: "What black girl magic looks like" and "celebrating Black History Month."

Police Chief James Craig said Monday that the officers have been suspended with pay. Craig earlier demoted Steele from corporal and apologized to Moore.

Craig said in a statement that "the department's focus is to maintain the integrity of the department and the public's confidence in it,” and they are "moving swiftly with the investigation and will continue to remain transparent with community members."

Paulette is a digital media reporter and producer for Michigan Public. She started as a newsroom intern at the station in 2014 and has taken on various roles in that time, including filling in as an on-air host.
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