New footage was released of a Connecticut police detective making multiple racist remarks toward other officers who pulled him over for a DUI.
Longtime Hartford Police officer Robert Lanza, 44, was arrested the night of August 27 in Plainville after he was caught driving erratically and failed a sobriety test after.
A belligerent Lanza, who was off duty at the time, can be seen and heard shouting racial slurs at the officers, while attempting to use his position of power in his favor.
‘I know the game… I got money. I’m a cop,’ Lanza tells the two men as they ask whether he is OK to drive.
Hartford Police detective Robert Lanza, 44, was arrested the night of August 27 in Plainville after he was caught driving erratically and failed a sobriety test
Lanza, who was off duty at the time, can be seen and heard shouting racial slurs at the officers
He continues to yell toward the officers while attempting to use his position of power in his favor
‘Are you serious right now?! Are you f***ing serious?! You treat me like an animal here,’ Lanza later yells while sitting in the back of the police cruiser.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Lanza was placed on paid administrative duty up until his termination Monday.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley confirmed Lanza’a leave while speaking about the matter to WFSB.
‘These actions were egregious, deplorable and completely unacceptable for a Hartford police officer, and are grounds for termination,’ Foley partly said in the statement.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Lanza was placed on paid administrative duty up until his termination Monday
Lanza worked for the department for 12 years before he was fired following the shocking incident
Investigation found Lanza had violated the police department’s code of conduct
Foley went on to express his regrets toward community members, while explaining that the incident is not a reflection of the department’s moral ground.
‘We don’t want this single event to define the great commitment, professionalism and hard work of the officers in our department,’ Foley said.
‘We have made incredible strides in community outreach, in community trust and legitimacy.
‘When something like this happens here, or anywhere, it hurts law enforcement as a whole,’ Foley added.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said his actions were ‘egregious, deplorable and completely unacceptable’