The police officer in McKinney, Texas, who was videotaped using force to break up a teenage party at a community pool, has resigned.
Officer Eric Casebolt, who was put on administrative leave following the incident, was not asked to resign, according to McKinney police chief Greg Conley. Casebolt left the force on Tuesday.
Dominique Alexander, president of the Dallas area-Next Generation Action Network, said Casebolt’s resignation was an improvement.
“We still need a serious investigation into the charges that need to be brought against him in this matter,” Alexander said, according to Talking Points Memo.
The local NAACP chapter also said the police department should review its policies so officers can better handle incidents with minorities. The NAACP did not ask for a formal investigation but did request that the Department of Justice look into the McKinney police force’s policies, reported TPM.
In a press conference on June 7, Conley discussed the June 5 incident in a prepared statement. He said the incident involved “a group of juveniles and a number of local residents” as some of the residents said the juveniles were “fighting and refusing to leave.”
“As the chief of police, I am committed to a complete and thorough investigation into this incident,” Conley said. “We will be forthcoming in this process. However, I ask that all persons be patient and respect the investigative process.”
Tatyana Rhodes hosted the pool party and said two white women told the African-American teenagers to “go back to their Section 8 homes.” Rhodes also said one of the women hit her in the face during the conflict. Rhodes said Casebolt took things too far and is happy he has left the force, according to CNN.
However, Fox News host Sean Hannity, after slowing down the video, said the officer pulled out his gun because the teenagers were “provoking” him, according to TPM.
“I value all life, but I also value the lives of police officers, and when two people behind him are provoking him, he doesn’t know what’s happening there. He doesn’t know if those guys have a weapon,” Hannity said.
