HOUSTON, TX – Dr. Candice Matthews gave a follow-up interview after the Houston Police Department relieved Officer Ashley Gonzalez of duty, outlining additional steps to pursue accountability following the officer’s racist rant.

Dr. Matthews said the video was sent to her team by a source and that she contacted HPD leadership after confirming the individual in the video was an officer. She said she was told the officer had been relieved of duty and is under internal investigation.

She stated that her focus is now on identifying individuals who may have had prior encounters with the officer, particularly those who were arrested. Dr. Matthews said her team is asking members of the public to come forward so they can be connected with legal resources and have their cases reviewed.

Dr. Matthews also said she intends to pursue the officer’s Texas Commission on Law Enforcement certification and prevent employment at other agencies. She added that attorneys are being assembled to assist individuals who come forward and to examine whether civil rights or due process violations occurred.

She said the situation raises concerns about trust between law enforcement and the community and emphasized the need for accountability and transparency as the investigation continues.