Four Florida police officers have been booted from the force after sending racist and homophobic texts, and in one case even making a racist home video.
"The officers were terminated due to a sustained department misconduct," Chief Frank Adderley said during a news conference Friday,
CBS reported. "The four officers' conduct was inexcusable, and there is zero tolerance for this type of behavior within the Fort Lauderdale Police Department."
The officers have been identified as James Wells, 30; Jason Holding, 31; and Christopher Sousa, 25. They were fired following an extensive internal affairs investigation that began in October. Officer Alex Alvarez, 22, resigned during the investigation. The text messages and home video made by Alvarez were brought to light by his former fiancée.
The text messages talked about getting drunk and "killing n*****s," made mention of lynchings, and called black coworkers "lazy f***s." They also made disparaging remarks about Hispanic people and gay people. A fake movie trailer made by Alvarez called "The Hoods" featured President Barack Obama with large gold teeth, as well as images associated with the Ku Klux Klan.
"I am very disappointed, disgusted, and shocked by this incident," said Mayor Jack Seiler. "The inappropriate, racist behavior exhibited by those involved is unacceptable and it is reprehensible."
Adderley said that, in response to the episode, the department's vetting process for recruits will be strengthened, and that diversity classes would be mandatory on an annual basis for every officer.