The Royse City Police Department has terminated an officer following an internal investigation into a use-of-force incident at a Creekside neighborhood pool that was captured in a viral video.
Police Chief Kirk Aldridge announced Monday that the department had completed its Internal Affairs investigation into the August 3 incident. The investigation found that the officer, who had been placed on administrative leave following the encounter, violated the department’s standards, policies, and procedures.
The officer’s employment was terminated as a result of his actions and conduct, according to the department.
The investigation stemmed from a confrontation at a community pool that drew widespread attention after video circulated online showing the officer pulling a woman to the ground by her hair during an arrest.
Investigation Finds Other Officers Acted Within Policy
The department said the actions of three other officers involved in the incident were determined to be justified and within departmental policy.
The internal investigation is now closed, according to police.
The family involved in the encounter had previously accused the officers of using excessive force and questioned whether the situation could have been de-escalated.
Attorneys representing the family had reviewed more than an hour of body-camera and dash-camera footage but had called for the full footage to be publicly released. Royse City police have not released the body-camera footage publicly.
The department’s latest announcement does not provide additional details about the circumstances that led investigators to conclude the terminated officer violated policy.
Criminal Charges Reviewed
Police also completed a review of potential criminal charges involving people arrested during the incident.
The department said no charges will be sought against an 18-year-old woman who was arrested during the encounter.
A second woman, 35, will be referred to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges of interference with public duties and resisting arrest.
Police said state law prohibits a person from using physical force against an officer to interfere with or resist an arrest, even if the person believes the arrest is unjustified.
The department is also investigating an unidentified third suspect who police say struck an officer in the face.
If that person is identified, police said charges of interference with public duties and assault on a peace officer will be referred to the district attorney’s office.
The department did not release the names of the terminated officer or the people who may face charges.
Viral Video Drew Calls For Accountability
The incident began when officers responded to a reported argument involving a family and an older couple at the Creekside pool.
Video later circulated online showing an officer pulling a woman to the ground by her hair. The woman, previously identified as Janiaca Wheeler, said six of her dreadlocks were pulled out during the encounter.
Wheeler and her daughter, Amaiyah Allen-Smith, were arrested after the incident. Police initially filed charges against both women but dropped those charges the following day.
The family and its attorneys later reviewed police body-camera and dash-camera footage and accused the officer of escalating the confrontation rather than de-escalating it.
Civil rights advocates and the family’s attorneys had called for the officer to be fired and for potential criminal charges to be considered.
At the time, police said the officer had been placed on paid administrative leave while the Internal Affairs investigation was conducted.
Police Say Misconduct Will Not Be Tolerated
In announcing the termination, the Royse City Police Department said it would not condone misconduct by its officers and would take appropriate action when violations occur.
The department also said the potential criminal referrals involving people who allegedly interfered with or assaulted officers should reinforce that such conduct will not be tolerated.
The Internal Affairs investigation is now closed, but the criminal investigation remains open.
Police said the investigation into the unidentified suspect who allegedly struck an officer also remains ongoing.
