a veteran San Antonio police officer
fired over his treatment over of a
criminal trespass suspect last summer
that officer caught on his own body worn
camera repeatedly using the n-word and
other profanities during the arrest of a
young black man the exchange between
officer Tim Garcia and the handcuffed
suspect recorded by Garcia's own body
camera
he and his partner called a river center
mall last July to deal with Dwayne
Robinson who according to mall security
was harassing and threatening mall
customers when Robinson later complained
to internal affairs about excessive use
of force during the arrest
supervisors discovered the officers
unprofessional behavior it's tonight's
defenders investigation things start out
calm when Officer Tim Garcia and his
partner encounter Dwayne Robinson
surrounded by mall security guards who
had told him to leave explains to
Robinson why he needs to leave but they
tell you leave and you don't leave then
you bring it off that's when I get
involved
[Applause]
Robinson begins to present his ID but
has one more question one question to
many that's when things take a turn as
Robinson complains about being arrested
Garcia escalates the situation month
later Robinson complained about the
officers use of force
[Applause]
Arkan are you really good we need to
make sure you're good that kind of
behavior is way out of line for the
behavior I expect from anybody that word
is like nitroglycerin Chief William
McManus says he watched the video in
disbelief and later agreed with a review
board that recommended Garcia be fired
however when the incident was first
reviewed by Garcia's sergeant and two
lieutenants in the chain of command
they only recommended a written
reprimand a deputy chief disagreed and
sent the case to internal affairs
indefinitely suspending the officer was
the only remedy to this particular
situation
Garcia defended his action saying he was
just repeating words Robinson was saying
adding he did not use the n-word in a
derogatory manner or in reference to
anyone at the scene he said he was
frustrated and got caught up in the
banter admitting it was wrong that does
not justify it or explain it away by any
stretch we will not tolerate any kind of
racial or ethnic discrimination or
defamation when it comes to this thing
we're just not going to do it now the
other officers scene in the video was
talked to but was not formally
disciplined
Garcia's attorney agreed to an interview
but backed out at the last minute
sending a statement instead saying they
disagree with the termination quote the
event that led to officer Garcia's
termination was incredibly unfortunate
but it was not a result of any
intentional malice on his part officer
Garcia takes full responsibility for his
actions and openly admits he should be
disciplined officer Garcia expresses
regret and sincerely apologizes for his
behavior now you can read that full
statement right now on ke saath kaam
chief McManus reached out to the local
leadership of the n-double a-c-p when he
learned about that video he says he met
with them and explained what happened
we'll hear from them tomorrow on the
Nightbeat