Houston Police Department Relieves Officer Ashley Gonzalez After Viral Racist Rant Video

The Houston Police Department has relieved Officer Ashley Gonzalez of duty while investigating a video allegedly showing her using racist language during an arrest.

The video, which surfaced on social media, was shared with FOX 26 by a viewer who identified the woman in the clip as Gonzalez. Houston Police confirmed they are aware of the video but have not publicly confirmed that Gonzalez is the woman seen in it.

In the video, the woman repeatedly uses a racial slur to describe Black people and discusses an arrest, stating she used the same word toward the person she was taking into custody. She also said she felt at peace after saying the slur.

FOX 26 has confirmed that Gonzalez graduated from the Houston Police Department cadet academy in 2024. The department has not disclosed how long the Internal Affairs investigation will take or whether it will review her past interactions on the job or any prior complaints.

Gonzalez remains on paid leave as the investigation continues. A police spokesperson confirmed she is still receiving pay while relieved of duty, a status that allows the department to continue her salary during the inquiry.

Houston Police Officers Union President Doug Griffith said Gonzalez is scheduled to meet with Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz on Friday, April 24, 2026. Griffith stated the chief will decide whether to keep Gonzalez on relieved-of-duty status or terminate her employment.

The incident has drawn local and national attention, with Houston City Council member Edward Pollard calling for Gonzalez’s firing on social media. Pollard said incidents like this make it more difficult to build and maintain trust between the department and the community it serves.

The Afro-American Police Officers League in Houston also condemned the video, calling on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to revoke Gonzalez’s TCOLE license and bar her from serving as a police officer again.

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