A Bartow Police officer's incendiary comment on Facebook had protesters calling for her to be fired Thursday and prompted a state attorney to issue what’s referred to as a “death letter,” letting her know she will no longer be called upon to serve as a witness in any case.

  • Christina Arribas is a 10-year veteran of Bartow Police
  • State attorney referenced comments Arribas made on Facebook
  • Arribas disciplined for violating department's social media policy
  • Click HERE to read the state attorney's letter

State Attorney Brian Haas issued the letter to Officer Christina Arribas after learning about her November post to Facebook under the alias “Chrissy Gillrakers.”

The post read, “This year we lost two gorillas, one is in heaven and one is moving out of the White House. One will be missed. One will not be."

The post was brought to Haas’ attention by Pastor Clayton Cowart of the Poor Minority Justice Association. Cowart said he learned about the post through a public records request, which he made in an attempt to help former Bartow Police Officer Deonte Broom, who was terminated by the department in 2016.

"My mind was 'gorilla? Gorilla?' Immediately, I felt as if she was calling me a gorilla, even though she was referring to the president,” Cowart said.

Cowart also questioned Arribas' ability to serve and protect.

"It's one thing if you have a different and opposing political view. But to refer to black individuals as a gorilla, that means anyone that is similar to that color may have the same treatment. It tells me she looks at black people as animals," Cowart said.

The pastor assembled students and teachers from his church to protest outside of the police department Thursday. They held signs and dropped off bananas for Bartow Police Chief Joe Hall, who declined to come out of his office and referred us to the city attorney’s office.

City attorney Sean Parker said Arribas has been disciplined and the case was closed. According to Arribas' personnel file, she was suspended for two days, unpaid, for violating the department's social media policy.

This is not the first time she's been in trouble, however. Arribas' personnel file showed that the 10-year veteran patrol officer and training officer has had at least seven complaints against her. Offenses in the file ranged from leaving her weapon in her trunk, failing to appear for court three times and calling out sick so she could attend a coworker's party.

Cowart called the suspension insufficient.

"I want Officer Christina Arribas fired," he said. "And I also want the chief fired, as well. This is showing us that there is something wrong, and something needs to be done."