Labor arbitrators have ruled against the reinstatement of Rose Valentino, a former Cincinnati police officer who was fired for using a racial slur.
Valentino was caught on her own body camera making derogatory comments while stuck in traffic near Western Hills University High School and District 3 police headquarters on April 5, 2022.
“F—ing n—–s, I f—ing hate them,” Valentino was captured on the footage saying.
Cincinnati police chief Teresa Theetge reviewed the video and fired Valentino after concluding the cop’s ability to let the racial slur roll off her tongue so easily made her unfit to continue to serve the community.
“I want to be clear; this type of hateful speech will not be tolerated by anyone who works for the Cincinnati Police Department, sworn or civilian,” Theetge said in a news release announcing the officer’s termination in August 2022.
Valentino argued that she was being unfairly treated compared to other officers who had used slurs while on duty. However, the labor arbitration decision denied Valentino’s request for her job back, affirmed the consequences of her racially offensive remarks and highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust in law enforcement.
According to reports, Valentino was alone in her police cruiser with the windows up when she came across a vehicle blocking an exit. She activated the lights and sirens on her cruiser, simultaneously triggering her body-worn camera. When she was trying to make the car move, a teenager in the vehicle flicked her off.
