By PoliceOne Staff
EL PASO, Texas — A Texas police officer is being investigated after video emerged of the LEO pointing a gun at a group of boys during an arrest.
ABC News reported that El Paso police responded to a call Thursday about a group of boys trespassing near a recreation center. The video appears to show an officer push one of the juveniles against a wall while the rest of the group taunt and yell profanities at the officer.
The officer then can be seen drawing his firearm and pointing it at some of the boys, causing them to recoil, before re-holstering his service weapon. The officer also takes out his baton and confronts a woman as another LEO apprehends the juvenile.
The incident was recorded on video by a witness, who police arrested as well. Police said one minor and one adult were taken into custody. The video was posted on Friday and has since gone viral.
On Saturday, the El Paso Police Department said they have launched an internal investigation of the incident. The department also said the officer who drew his firearm has been placed on desk duty.
“This is a serious matter that will be thoroughly investigated,” El Paso Police Department spokesman Sgt. Enrique Carrillo told KVIA. “All the facts, circumstances and events that led to the incident will be looked into. As such no further comment will be made at this point.”
Assistant City Manager Dionne Mack called the incident “disheartening,” but added that she plans to wait for the result of the investigation before judging the officers.
“We want to make sure that there is some resolution and I do think it’s important for the community to understand that the Police Department understands that this is very important, and the perception of our community and the way the police interacts is very important, and we can’t draw conclusions until the investigation is done,” she said.
