BALTIMORE - It was a viral video that's now cost a city cop, his job.

Officer Salvatore Rivieri was caught on camera just over two years ago berating and pushing a teen skateboarder at the Inner Harbor.

Just last month, a police panel ruled the Rivieri was not guilty of using excessive force. But Wednesday morning, Baltimore City Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld fired the 19-year veteran.

Robert Cherry, President-Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3, issued this statement responding to the dismissal:

"The FOP has worked diligently with the BPD over the years to ensure that our disciplinary process for police officers is fair and equitable.

There is a process in place to 'police the police' and in this instance the departmental trial board - members of the BPD selected from a list and agreed upon by both the PC's legal team and the police officer - listened to all the evidence and returned a verdict of not guilty on all the serious charges, finding Police Officer Sal Rivieri guilty of failing to submit a police report and recommended 5 days loss of leave.

For the PC to increase the punishment to termination is an abuse of his discretion and not only does it end the career of a 19 year veteran who was out there doing his job, the PC's decision sends the wrong message to all our police officers who are expected to aggressively keep our streets safe but cannot expect to be treated fairly and not discriminated against in any disciplinary proceedings.

We will appeal the decision of the PC on behalf of Police Officer Rivieri."

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/city-%22skateboard%22-cop-fired,-fop-vows-appeal