Fresno Police officer, Rick Fitzgerald, fired for involvement with Proud Boys CNN 1 hr ago © KFSN Rick Fitzgerald
A Fresno, California, police officer was fired Friday after online images and videos surfaced showing his alleged involvement with the far-right group the Proud Boys, Fresno police said.
Rick Fitzgerald had been placed on paid administrative leave last month and an internal investigation was launched, the department said.
It is unclear what level of involvement the former officer had with the group, but videos posted to social media showed he participated in at least one protest alongside some of their members, according to the department.
California police officer fired after attending Proud Boys rally
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Calif police officer fired after attending Proud Boys rally
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No one wanted my side of the story : Fresno officer allegedly affiliated with Proud Boys speaks out KFSN
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A Fresno police officer says he was fired with a phone call.
Rick Fitzgerald is speaking out hours after both the Fresno Police Department and the city s mayor announced he was terminated from the department for his involvement with the Proud Boys, a far right, extremist group.
Fitzgerald was put on administrative leave once the accusations came to light just three weeks ago when he was seen wearing clothing associated with the group while attending the Tower Theatre protests.
He didn t deny that he was once affiliated with the group, but says after seeing their behavior in Sacramento, he immediately walked away.