Houston police officer relieved of duty in wake of racist viral video

The Houston Police Department placed Gonzalez on leave while the investigation continues.

A Houston police officer has been relieved of duty after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed her making racist remarks. The incident prompted an internal investigation and condemnation from the city’s police union.

Officer Ashley Gonzalez, who joined the Houston Police Department in January 2024, was removed from duty pending the outcome of the investigation, officials confirmed.

In a video that gained traction online in recent days, a woman believed to be Gonzalez is heard using racial slurs and making derogatory comments about Black people, including remarks referencing slavery and racial stereotypes.

The video includes graphic language.

In one part of the video, the woman describes a prior off-duty encounter with someone she claimed was trying to steal her wallet. She said she grabbed the person before they got away and called them a racial slur.

“Y’all don’t know how good it felt to say [racial slur] out loud. Oh my God, I felt like I was back in the Marine Corps,” the woman said. “I felt like the world just stopped. It felt like peace.”

Houston police officials have not released details about when or where the video was recorded and have not confirmed all aspects of the footage, but said the department is aware of the video and is reviewing the matter.

The Houston Police Officers' Union said in a statement that it was “extremely disturbed” by the video and said racist behavior among its members is not tolerated.

“The Houston Police Department prides itself as being the most diverse police department in the nation,” union president Douglas Griffin said in the statement. “It is our belief that the Department is working diligently to confirm the authenticity of this video and will take appropriate measures to ensure public confidence and trust between our Department and our community.”

Gonzalez was ordered to surrender her badge and gun for the duration of the investigation. Officials have not shared how long the investigation could take or what disciplinary action could follow.

She remains employed at the department pending the final ruling.