A California police department announced Friday that it has fired one of its officers for having links with far-right extremist group Proud Boys.
The Fresno police department ended Rick Fitzgerald’s work after an investigation that began after the officer joined a Proud Boys event on March 14th. Fitzgerald was placed on administrative leave after the incident while the department was investigating, according to a statement the department shared on social media.
– Fresno Police (@FresnoPolice) April 9, 2021
“I’m clear there were flagrant violations of the department’s policy,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a statement publicly announcing Fitzgerald’s removal, according to NBC News.
He continued, “I am pleased that Officer Fitzgerald is no longer serving as a police officer in the town of Fresno.”
Police Chief Paco Balderrama denounced Fitzgerald’s involvement in the demonstration against the marginal group’s LGBT protest, and said he did not want a staff officer associated with the Proud Boys.
“I stand by and reaffirm my previous comments by strongly disapproving of any police officer affiliated with hate groups,” he said. “We need to maintain the integrity and legitimacy of our police department.”
Several members of the Proud Boys, identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, have been arrested for their roles in the January 6 Capitol uprising.