Caught on Camera: Texas Transit Cop Resigns After Train Station Beating
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/caught-camera-texas-transit-cop-resigns-after-train-station-beating-n654821
A Texas transit cop resigned on Monday after a train station camera captured the officer repeatedly beating a man with a baton two weeks ago, authorities said.
Metro Police Department Chief Vera Bumpers said in a statement that a review board concluded that the officer, identified only as J. Warren, used excessive force in the Sept. 14 encounter.
"The board recommended termination of the officer," Bumpers said. "Officer Warren, however, presented his resignation before that action could be taken."
Video footage published by NBC affiliate KPRC showed two officers approaching a man slumped over on a platform bench at Burnett Transit Center, north of downtown Houston.
The station identified the man as Darren Giles, 31.
In the two-and-a-half-minute silent video, Warren can be seen attempting rouse Giles while a second officer looked through a cooler that sat beside him. When Giles stood up, Warren struck him repeatedly for approximately eight seconds.
As Giles writhed on the platform floor — and as the two officers restrained him — Warren struck him two more times.
Giles was charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespass, KPRC reported, though those were later dropped.
The second officer, Daniel Reynoso, will return to duty after additional training, Bumpers said.
"This incident is not reflective of our police force and I will not tolerate inappropriate use of force by officers," she said.