A police officer in Royse City, Texas, has been fired following an investigation into the arrest of a mother and daughter at a community pool, according to a report published August 24.
The investigation stemmed from an August 3 incident at the Creekside neighborhood pool, where officers responded to a disturbance report. Video footage of the encounter showed an officer holding 18-year-old Janiaca Wheeler by her hair during a struggle.
The Royse City Police Department concluded its administrative investigation, determining that one of the four officers involved violated department standards, policies, and procedures. The officer had been on administrative leave since the incident. Royse City officials did not release the officer's name in a statement released this Monday.
While the department found the actions of the other three officers involved were justified and within policy, the legal status of the two women arrested during the incident has shifted. Police decided not to seek charges against the 18-year-old daughter. However, the department is referring the case of 35-year-old Janiaca Wheeler to the Collin County District Attorney for possible charges of resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer.
The criminal investigation remains open as police attempt to identify a third person who allegedly struck an officer during the encounter. If identified, that individual could face charges for assault and interference with a police officer.
The Next Generation Action Network, an organization supporting the family, stated that the firing is a step toward accountability but called for the full release of body camera and patrol car footage. Although the family and their lawyers have reviewed over an hour of recordings, the material has not been released in its entirety to the public.
