A St. Louis County police lieutenant has been fired, nearly six months after accusations that he ordered officers to target black people.

Lt. Patrick “Rick” Hayes was fired Monday following a six-month internal investigation that began with an anonymous tip dated Dec. 24 from a county officer.

The tip to Chief Tim Fitch and another top county police official said Hayes ordered officers under his command to focus on arresting blacks in and around South County Center and at a Wal-Mart store in south St. Louis County.

Fitch says the investigation determined that Hayes violated department policies but no officers followed his commands.

Hayes declined comment but his attorney, Neil Bruntrager, vowed to appeal, calling the internal investigation “flawed.”