Officer Gilbert Ramirez, who for the past 11 years has been the police department’s El Protector liaison to the Hispanic community, today was decommissioned as the result of an internal investigation into his alleged promotion of, and involvement with, an Antioch food and game business that was managed by his domestic partner.
Officer Brenda Navarro, presently a South Precinct midnight shift officer, will assume El Protector duties effective August 1.
The continuing investigation of Ramirez began after the MNPD’s Office of Professional Accountability received a complaint about his ties to Global Fun N Food inside the Global Mall (Global Fun N Food permanently closed in early June). The investigation to this point shows that Ramirez, in at least 2 videos with him in his police uniform, promoted activities at the business that were unrelated to the El Protector Program. Ramirez was also at the business on a number of occasions while on-duty in uniform and off-duty. In addition, Ramirez promoted events at Global Fun N Food through his personal Facebook account, which, at the time, featured a profile photo of him in police uniform.
The on-going investigation also shows that Ramirez was charging a $25 per child fee for attendance at El Protector camps for elementary and middle school children during the spring and summer. Ramirez says that the money was used to purchase food, supplies, and pay for outings to various attractions, including Global Fun N Food. Ramirez was charging the fee without police department authorization.
Ramirez, a 13-year police department veteran, has been assigned to desk duty at another precinct pending the completion of the investigation and subsequent disciplinary action.
