FORT WORTH, Texas — Updated at 3:45 p.m. with community reaction.
The Fort Worth Police Department confirmed Friday that it is investigating a “racially insensitive” and "grossly inappropriate" Facebook post made by one of its officers.
The department said it was made aware of the social media post earlier this week after it was posted on the officer’s personal Facebook page. At that point, the internal affairs unit began an investigation, which is still ongoing, and the post was removed.
The police department did not release additional regarding how long the officer has been with the department or what the social media post entailed.
They did, however, confirm the officer has been placed on restricted duty. This means the officer's gun and badge have been taken away and he is unable to perform the duties of a police officer, according to department officials.
A small but loud group of demonstrators rallied outside Fort Worth City Hall Friday, calling on city leaders and the police department to fire the officer.
“We can’t keep putting bandages on mistakes,” said Niki Pugh, president of United My Justice.
The group’s founder Donnell Ballard said keeping the officer on the payroll in a limited capacity doesn’t go far enough.
“He needs to be fired from his job,” Ballard said. “If the police allow this man to stay on the force, it lets us know what type of police department we are dealing with.”
Fort Worth police also released a written statement saying officers will be held accountable and any comment or post that is racially insensitive and unprofessional will not be condoned in any manner.