Police Association Calls PD Actions "Unacceptable"
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FORT WORTH(CBSDFW.COM) - The Fort Worth Police Officers Association lashed out at the Fort Worth Police Department after it disciplined two officers whose actions ended a two-and-a-half hour chase.
"It was a successful outcome to a 2-and-a-half hour chase that put a lot of people in danger. And now for the officers to be treated this way? It's just unacceptable," said Sgt. Richard Van Houten, President of the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.
The officer driving the Bearcat vehicle who executed the "PIT maneuver," is Dennis Alise. He has now been removed from SWAT and reassigned to street patrol.
The officer who took down the suspect is Brian Gentry. He is accused of allegedly striking the suspect with the butt of his firearm. His lawyer disputes the allegation. Gentry is on leave and has been stripped of his gun and badge.
"Obviously, there were many citizens who were very happy that we ended the chase. Nobody got injured. No officer, no citizen. Even the bad guy walked away from this," said Sgt. Van Houten.
The lawyer for the officers called the action by the Fort Worth Police Department a "knee jerk" reaction. Lawyer Terry Daffron-Porter said the actions by the department were not only uncalled for but also unusual.
"This is going out of order in the case of a normal investigation," said Daffron-Porter. Normally, Daffron-Porter said officers are served a complaint and there is a preliminary investigation before any disciplinary actions.
"Instead of supporting their officers, standing behind them and having their backs, they basically bowed down to pressure from the media and social media," said Daffron-Porter.
The two said the officers involved deserve to be reinstated and commended for risking their lives that day.
"You don't make decisions to harm these officers careers without having the facts first," said Sgt. Van Houten.
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Police Department said there was no new information to report.
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