Fort Worth police officer William Martin has been fired following an off-duty shooting incident in September. Martin claimed he pursued the driver of a truck he believed hit his car, pointing a gun at the driver and firing three shots that injured him. An arrest warrant affidavit stated that Martin was not in danger of being struck by the vehicle. Martin’s internal affairs review determined that the level of force used in the incident was “unjustified,” resulting in his termination.
This is not the first time Martin has faced controversy in his career. In 2016, he was involved in a highly-publicized arrest of Jacqueline Craig and her daughter, which led to accusations of excessive force. Martin served a 10-day suspension and the city settled a civil rights lawsuit with the Craig family for $150,000.
The Fort Worth Police Department stated that they hold their officers to high standards and will continue to be transparent with the community. Martin had been with the department for 19 years before his firing.
This new development in Martin’s career highlights the importance of accountability within law enforcement and the need for officers to uphold the standards expected of them. The use of excessive force can have serious consequences, both for the officers involved and for the communities they serve.
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