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Fort Worth Officer Matthew Krueger was fired on Wednesday because an internal affairs investigation determined the level of force he used to arrest Carolyn Rodriguez was “unjustified.”
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Rodriguez was livestreaming officers while they tried to investigate a hit-and-run crash. She reportedly ignored orders to move across the street.
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Video shows Officer Krueger grabbing her arm and swinging her to the ground, causing facial injuries.
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Fort Worth’s police union is defending the officer’s actions, saying the technique is one taught in the department’s police academy.
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Fort Worth Officer Matthew Krueger was fired on Wednesday because an internal affairs investigation determined the level of force he used to arrest Carolyn Rodriguez was “unjustified.”
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Rodriguez was livestreaming officers while they tried to investigate a hit-and-run crash. She reportedly ignored orders to move across the street.
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Video shows Officer Krueger grabbing her arm and swinging her to the ground, causing facial injuries.
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Fort Worth’s police union is defending the officer’s actions, saying the technique is one taught in the department’s police academy.
Texas’s Fort WorthChief Neil Noakes’ decision to terminate an officer for an arrest that resulted in a woman’s injuries has angered the Fort Worth Police Union.
Officer Matthew Krueger was let go from the Fort Worth Police Department on Wednesday.
Since June, when Carolyn Rodriguez was arrested, he has been the subject of an investigation. According to that investigation, Officer Krueger’s use of force to arrest her was “unjustified” and against departmental protocol.
Officer Krueger was fired by Chief Noakes, who accepted the assessment.
Fort Worth police officer fired for arrest that injured woman
After hurting a woman while making an arrest, a Fort Worth police officer was let go.
What People Are Saying: In a statement, the Fort Worth Police Officers Association expressed its amazement and disappointment at the chief’s choice.
The police union brought up the fact that Krueger was not charged with any crimes by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and that there was “no criminal conduct committed.”
Additionally, according to FWPOA, Chief Noakes disregarded the advice of the FWPD Force Review Board specialists who concluded that Krueger’s method was taught in the department’s training academy.
“Due to Chief Noakes’ decision today, individuals like Ms. Rodriguez will only be empowered in the future to interfere with legitimate police actions, making the job of protecting the citizens of Fort Worth even more difficult and dangerous for the brave men and women of the FWPD,” the FWPOA said in a statement.
Fort Worth police officer being investigated for use of force
The use of force against a woman during an arrest by a Fort Worth police officer is under investigation.
The Backstory: Officer Krueger was among the officers that responded to a hit-and-run accident on Foch Street on June 23, 2024.
Before fleeing the scene on foot, a suspected drunk driver collided with a building and another car.
Rodriguez approached and questioned police while livestreaming on her social media platform while they were looking into the collision.
Rodriguez repeatedly defied Krueger’s orders to cross the street so that police could protect the area. After that, Krueger arrested her.
The use of force against a police observer during an arrest by a Fort Worth police officer is under investigation.
Rodriguez was swung to the ground, as captured on security and body camera footage. Her injuries sustained during the takedown required hospital treatment.
On social media, she shared a photo of her wounds.
Rodriguez, Carolyn
Rodriguez subsequently faced charges of issuing a false alarm or report, resisting arrest, and interfering with official responsibilities.
She was convicted by a Tarrant County jury earlier this year of interfering with her official responsibilities. She received a jail sentence and a fine.
What Comes Next: After almost eight years with the police, Officer Krueger does have the right to contest his dismissal.
According to the FWPOA, it is certain that he will be reinstated during arbitration by an impartial third-party hearing examiner.
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A news release from the Fort Worth Police Department, a statement from the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association, and previous news coverage provided the information for this story.
A news release from the Fort Worth Police Department, a statement from the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association, and previous news coverage provided the information for this story.
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