Nearly a hundred people packed a town hall meeting in Bartow Thursday night. Many of them were asking for the police chief to be fired, along with the officer accused of making a racist comment online.
- Town Hall organized by area religious leaders
- Bartow police chief to meet with Officer Christina Arribas next week
- Bartow Police had no comment for this story
Pastor Clayton Cowart and several other religious leaders in Polk County organized the town hall meeting not only to address racism, but also to question the police department's handling of the Officer Christina Arribas situation from the beginning.
“The community has been crying out," said event organizer Pastor Clayton Cowart. "They’ve been wondering a thing hasn’t been done efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner and so this is our means of responding to what the community is asking for."
Bartow Police said they were made aware of Arribas's incendiary Facebook post, made on an account under the name "Chrissy Gillrakers", in November. It wasn't until February that Bartow Police Chief Joe Hall disciplined her with a two-day unpaid suspension.
A month later, the state attorney got wind of Arribas's comments and issued her what's called a "death letter," in effect disqualifying her from being called to testify in cases being prosecuted by the State Attorney's office.
Arribas is now on paid administrative leave in part because of that letter.
People at the meeting Thursday said they’re still shocked by Arribas's comments.
“I was actually shocked," said resident Kassie Norris. "We look at our police officers ... to protect us, so I thought it was very unprofessional, and I was really lost for words, honestly, because it was kind of hard to believe.”
“What does that tell about your character?" said resident Darling St. Jean. "Can you really hold a office as a police officer calling black folks gorillas when you’re actually working with the community that’s predominately black people?"
Cowart and other organizers of the event want Arribas fired, and Chief Hall along with her. To that end, they have even started a petition.
“The chief didn’t respond, which means he doesn’t understand the insensitive statement that was made,” Cowart said. “We’re hoping that the chief will be removed and also the officer. That’s been our position from Day One, and we’re also asking for some type of reform and investigation of the police department here in Bartow.”
We reached out to Chief Hall, but he had no comment. He is scheduled to meet with Arribas next week, and then he will decide if she will keep her job.
Organizers, meanwhile, said they plan to continue to talk with city and county leaders and speak out at public meetings until they see change.