BARTOW — A Bartow police officer who posted a racist comment about President Barack Obama in November was placed on administrative leave Friday, a day after the State Attorney’s Office sent her a letter saying she would no longer be used as a witness.

Chief Joe Hall placed Christina Arribas, 33, on paid leave following receipt of the letter from State Attorney Brian Haas. A notice of pre-disciplinary action is forthcoming, according to a news release from the police department.

In the past, notices that the State Attorney’s Office would no longer accept testimony from an officer have meant the officer’s career is over.

Shortly after the presidential election, Arribas posted on her personal Facebook page: "Yes!!! 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 comments apparently referred to the May shooting of a gorilla named Harambee at the Cincinnati Zoo, and to Obama leaving office.

Arribas served a 23-hour unpaid suspension at the time.

On Thursday, high school students from Bibleway Royal Christian Academy of Winter Haven protested outside the Bartow Police Department, holding signs that said things such as "racism of any kind is not okay" and "I am not a gorilla."

The Rev. Clayton Cowart, pastor of the Church of God the Bibleway, who also serves with the Poor and Minority Justice Association, told The Ledger he became aware of the post when he asked to see Arribas' personnel file. He wanted to use her as a witness in a case in which he is representing a fired Bartow police officer.

On Thursday, Cowart called for Arribas to be fired, and for Hall to be removed for not firing Arribas.

Also on Thursday, Haas had the letter hand-delivered to Arribas. It said, in part, "The comments cast serious doubt on your ability to objectively fulfill your duties as a police officer.

"The evidence of your bias is so strong, that your credibility is damaged to the point that this office will no longer use you as a witness."

The social media post violates section 5D of the agency's standard operating procedures, Bartow City Attorney Sean Parker said. Hall signed off on the earlier suspension.

“Given the Chief's role in the disciplinary process, it would be inappropriate for him to comment further at this time,” Bartow Police Department’s public information officer, Sgt. Eric Sherouse, wrote in the news release Friday.

Arribas, who has been an officer with the Bartow Police Department since 2006, is currently paid $44,690 per year.

— Marilyn Meyer can be reached at marilyn.meyer@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @marilyn_ledger.