A California police department announced on Friday that it has fired one of its agents for having ties to the far-right extremist group Proud Boys.
Fresno police ended Rick Fitzgerald’s employment following an investigation that began after the officer participated in a Proud Boys event on March 14. Fitzgerald was given 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
“It is clear to me that there were flagrant violations of departmental policy,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a statement publicly announcing Fitzgerald’s impeachment, NBC News said.
He continued, “I’m glad Officer Fitzgerald will no longer serve as a police officer for the City of Fresno.”
Police Chief Paco Balderrama denounced Fitzgerald’s participation in the fringe group’s counter-demonstration of a pro-LGBT protest, saying he did not want a staff officer associated with the Proud Boys.
“I stick with and confirm my previous comments, strongly disapproving any police officer associated with hate groups,” he said. “The integrity and legitimacy of our police must be maintained.”
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.