Windsor, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Windsor Police Chief Rodney Riddle says Officer Joe Gutierrez was disciplined after the December traffic stop of Army Lieutenant Caron Nazario, and was fired only this past weekend because the viral video lead Riddle to lose faith in his effectiveness as an officer. Nazario was pepper sprayed and hit during the stop, and is now suing, and the video has led to a national controversy.
Riddle says because it is a personnel matter, he could not get into what discipline was given to Gutierrez. He says the second officer involved, Officer Daniel Crocker, remains on the force, and that the video shows Crocker did try to de-escalate things. Riddle does admit opportunities were missed to better this situation.
State Police are currently investigating the situation, and Attorney General Mark Herring has also requested documents. Riddle also says the town and department will work through this incident, and will likely have some difficult conversations. Nazario is Black and Hispanic, Gutierrez is Hispanic, and Crocker is white.