GASTONIA, N.C. — A spokesperson for the Gastonia Police Department was fired for comments he allegedly posted to Facebook through the department’s page, The Gaston Gazette reports.
Police Public Information Officer Rick Goodale was first suspended without pay in July when the city was sued for the comments.
The federal lawsuit against the city of Gastonia accuses Goodale of using the police department’s Facebook page to harass a veteran who was arrested in October 2021.
As of August 8, his employment was terminated, City Manager Michael Peoples told the Gazette.
Peoples said Goodale was fired for “failing to obey directions from a supervisor and for violating the city’s social media policy,” the Gazette reports.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Veteran files lawsuit against Gastonia police for 2021 arrest, shocking of dog with stun gun
Gastonia police release video of veteran’s arrest that shows officer stunning dog
Gastonia officers accused of stunning dog during veteran’s arrest won’t face charges, DA says
(WATCH: Gastonia community still reeling a year after deadly police shooting)
©2023 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
