A handful of Fort Worth residents are seeking accountability for the actions of an off-duty police officer during a collision on Interstate 35W on Sept. 3.
They argued that Officer William Martin’s actions were part of a pattern of aggressive behavior and that he should be removed before residents were injured.
Community activist Gerald Banks Sr. spoke about Martin’s involvement in the 2016 arrest of Jacqueline Craig, which became a national news story. He said the officer could kill someone if he’s not held accountable.
Abiola Agoro of the nonprofit Disturbing Inequity compared Martin to a cattle dog that cannot herd cattle.
According to Agoro, a farmer is liable for a cattle dog’s failure to stop his cows from damaging a neighbor’s property. The city is also liable for the officer’s misconduct.
Martin called 911 around 4 p.m. on Sept. 3 to report being involved in a collision with a red Ford F-150 pickup truck on the southbound side of I-35W, near the Morningside Drive exit, according to a police news release.
Martin said the other driver tried to ram him while he was chasing him, the news release said. He then reported shots being fired, the release said.
According to a second police press release, Martin was placed on restricted duty on September 5 during an investigation into the incident.
The identity of the other driver has not been released.
Fort Worth City Council members decided to reserve judgment while the investigation continues.
Councilman Chris Nettles, who represents parts of south and southeast Fort Worth, said he would like to see the audio of Martin’s 911 call released so the public can enjoy it.
“It gives the community more context and I don’t think it hurts the investigation,” he said.
Councilman Michael Crain, who represents West Fort Worth, said he was confident that Police Chief Neil Noakes would conduct the investigation and take swift action to address any problems.
“The facts reported to date suggest there may have been overzealous behaviour, but I wish to reserve judgment until I understand the full extent of the facts,” he said.
In the workplace, past behavior generally predicts future behavior, says Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens.
However, Bivens said she wanted to delay sentencing Martin until all the facts of the case are known.
Mayor Mattie Parker also expressed her confidence in Noakes in a text message to the Star-Telegram.
Parker said she is supporting the city’s police department and police supervisor as they conduct their investigation into the incident.
