BRENHAM POLICE OFFICER DISMISSED AFTER INVESTIGATION
The Brenham Police Department reports that after a review of an officer’s actions in a recent police pursuit, Police Chief Craig Goodman has terminated the employment of that officer. Corporal Richard Bobbitt was dismissed from his position Monday afternoon following an administrative hearing. He had been with the Brenham PD for six years.
Corporal Bobbitt was involved in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle on July 14 when the female suspect left Brenham driving toward Houston and was pursued by Corporal Bobbitt and other law enforcement officers, with multiple agencies involved in the pursuit. The vehicle was stopped near the Harris/Waller County line when her tires were deflated by a spike strip deployed on US 290. Officer Bobbitt removed the female suspect from the vehicle once it had stopped.
After an internal affairs investigation was completed, Corporal Bobbitt was found to have used excessive force in his detention and arrest of the suspect. The investigation showed that Corporal Bobbitt unnecessarily struck the suspect multiple times in her face and head after she was removed from the vehicle.
“It is extremely important that we take very seriously a situation where the use of force appears to be questionable,” Chief Craig Goodman stated in announcing this disciplinary action. “After a detailed review, there is no question excessive and unnecessary force was used in apprehension of this female subject in this case,” Chief Goodman concluded.
Corporal Bobbitt has filed an appeal of his termination with the City’s administration and no additional information is being released at this time.
makes me want to go steal and rob, lead the police on a chase, get caught and hopefully they punch me a few times. I mean, after the lawsuit that the PC community will award me as the criminal it will be worth a whooping. This is whats happening and the criminals know it. PAYDAY folks, who’s the dumb one now.
Cynthia it wouldn’t matter to me if it was my sister,daughter or any one else, you simply don’t run from the law. Do what is right and bad things won’t happen. Member of my family is a Harris county Sherrif. He has told me stories you wouldn’t believe! I pray for him each and everyday he comes home his job Safe. You have a great day!
Always amazes me that when a peace officer does the job, it seems to haunt them later.
Let’s just take their guns and tazers from them, and see how it works like that. Enough deaths have occurred already on public servants, paid and volunteer. All this “Whatever Life Matters” Aren’t we all children of God? To me, ” ALL LIVES MATTER”.
I feel the officer was doing his job. When you decide to “run” it turns bad. Perhaps if she would have just done what she was told
To do it would have turned out differently. Not saying that the officer was right by roughing her up but,he was the authority in the situation. And why does it ALWAYS turn into a black/white thing. I am so sick of hearing that. Do what your told by an officer and bad things wouldn’t happen!!
EXACTLY
Now if it were you daughter would you feel this way? Or what if it were your sister fear makes you do strange things sometimes. The officer was wrong I don’t care how you look at it or authority does not give one the right to be violent.
YES. If it was my mom, sister, wife or daughter I would feel the exact same way. When you break the law, and not only break it cause a high speed chase, any officer involved can do whatever they need to control the situation. I’ve said it once and I will say it again, there should NOT be cameras involved and the officers actions are justified by his judgement of the scene.
I sure miss our old Chief Rex Phelps. New PC is gonna cost taxpayers big bucks. Bobbit should have some sensitivity training but not fired. Overkill on disipline will make a lawyers day in court.
Rex Phelps would of got rid of him also. I don’t think there is a Chief that would tolerate this type of behavior
He’s WHITE, she is WHITE. I am amazed how some will always inject RACE into police officers’ actions.
Agree
I wasn’t at the end of this pursuit but I have worked as a law enforcement officer in Harris County where the pursuit ended. Unfortunately in Harris County the criminals know that if you run from the police at the end of the pursuit there is a real good chance you will get a butt kicking from the police. My question is was Officer Bobbit the only officer at the scene that was punching the suspect our did he get caught up in the situation where other officers were dealing Harris County justice to the suspect. Either way Officer Bobbit was wrong and should never have hit a suspect that was violently fighting but I can see how the situation could have gotten out of hand. A pursuit over two counties at high speed can get any officer’s blood boiling but we have to be professionals and handle the situation without violence. To the person who questioned jurisdiction once a person flees in a vehicle the question of is it in my jurisdiction no longer applies.
Someone who knows
No one else punched the suspect at all. Only one officer and several were on scene. This decision was made after an investigation was conducted. All videos available were watched over and over, all witnesses interviewed and the history of the officer was considered both good and bad. No one is calling this officer a bad person but sometimes hard decisions have to be made.
I’m very impressed with the new police chief and the actions he took with the officer. I hope the chief weeds out a few more bad apples in his department, because they are still with the department but with higher ranks.
I’m assuming the police chief watched the dash-cam and/or body-cam that “Mr.” Bobbit was wearing. This probably tied the hands of the police department and they had no other choice but to fire “Mr.” Bobbit.
Hopefully the City’s administration won’t hire Mr. Bobbit back for the safety of the community.
The City of Brenham “you the tax payers” will probably be sued and Brenham will be paying out big $$$ to that woman.
At the end of the day the officer did not do his job. It doesn’t matter what a suspect did all that matters is doing just what is needed to arrest a person.
My household will stand behind Officer Bobbitt, who is a respectable man and officer known for being fair and kind. This woman put hundreds of people’s lives in danger when she took a vehicle that was not hers and decided she did not want to comply with the law. Good job apprehending a criminal who could have killed or seriously injured someone and their children.
No excuse for him to put his hands on her like that, nomatter what, we see how fair and kind, God saw that, come on stop making excuses, just because you know that person. The lady was for sure wrong and Mr. Bobbit was more, because of offcicers like him and all the one who take advantage of their position.I pray that the city will continue to do what is right and what is best for all.A police officer is to be a good example not a bad apple, pushing weight around, and yes there is more corrupt police officers in Washington county, and there is some loving and caring ones too.
I’m glad that justice was served this man took me to jail had my car stripped and searched all because I had drank 1 16ounce Old English beer that brand of beer has a strong odor because I’m a young black male college education no background not a trouble maker nor drug dealer I’ve been on one of the best jobs in Brenham txt over 6years no criminal record I passed my breath test and he still took me to jail towed my car charged me with a Dwi I go to court with papers saying that I passed my breath test from the Texas Department of public safety and almost lost my job for my case to be dismissed all because I am a young black male a working citizen not a threat to the community at all all lives matter I’m my eyes but the racism has to stop around Brenham because a young black man has a nice car with rims he’s not a criminal he’s going to work 12hours a day 5 days a week and can spend his money on what makes him happy is that a crime the basic definition of ethics is right is right and wrong is wrong I could of sued the police department but they would of only harassed me more justice has been served God doesn’t like ugly and is always watching it’s called karma keep doing wrong and judging a book by its cover and it will come back on you # proud young black man working and living in the Brenham community thank you for some honest people in the court system I salute the officer’s that does their job with honor and respect for all minorities every cop isn’t bad but the ones that are need a new career
A lot of people are trying to prove a point on this story, but you are not doing your cause any justice when you write a post like that one.
I agree with you Felicia.
All I can say is AMEN
Race has nothing to do with this news story so why are you introducing race. Instead of say you are a Honest Hard Working Young Black Citizen maybe your post would have had more credibility if you had left race out of the comment. Also Old English is not a beer its an ale because of its alcohol content and 1 16 ounce can place you over the legal limit to drive.
This is a fine example of why all officers should be required to wear body/vest cameras & have dash cameras running at all times. Ultimately, they can protect both the officer and/or the suspect, depending on what transpires.
Situations like this also make me wonder why a taser wasn’t employed? I’m not a trained LEO but I know that most officers carry them. Seems like this would have been a good situation to use a taser if the suspect was failing to comply with the officers commands.
Everyone on here saying good job chief. But if this woman had killed someone while running. Like someone you love or a child then everyone of you would have a different opinion. Running from the police through multiple county’s and having a controlled substance and not one person says anything about what she had done. I wished they would take this out of the law about excessive force if you resist. I have dealt with officer Bobbitt on many occasions and he has always been respectful and courteous and professional. This was a long chase and she wouldn’t have stopped if the tired wouldn’t have be deflated so I can see him getting rough with her cause she had already resisted in a big steel vehicle that could have been used as a letheal weapon. So instead of bad mouthing this officer we should be thanking him for putting his life at risk and job in jeapordy to protect us the innocent who now are bad mouthing him. Not one person on here can say what they would have done if in the same position. Walk a mile in an officer’s shoes before you judge them. Thanks
Exactly, again I say, that does not give HIM the right to hit her, you want them to take out the against the law OF excessive force, why that would then cover yall behinds and be able to beat anyone and just claim you had too. Police can do the right thing and think first.
IF EVERYONE WOULD JUST FOLLOW GOD’S COMMANDMENT AND LOVE EACH OTHER, THIS WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE,
sHE WAS CRAZY WRONG, BUT THE OFFICER WAS WRONG ALSO.
The MESSAGE here folks is this – It is OK to ACT STUPID, put MULTIPLE LIVES at risk, and REWARD CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR by firing the good guy, when in the HEAT of the MOMENT the law breaker gets ROUGHED UP. Can’t really blame the Police Chief either, because he is in a “no win” situation in this one. “Bad Guy WINS, Good Guy LOSES”. That’s just the way it is today in this Snowflake Society.
AMEN!! Officer Bobbitt still IS and will ALWAYS be one of my favorites!
IT SEEMS THAT ALL WHO IS DEFENDEING MR. BOBBIT, DO NOT GET IT, TWO WRONGS DOES NOT MAKE A RIGHT.
I get that some of the people on here are saying oh but she was resisting, that does not matter. No officer nor civilian is above the law, if he did strike the women then he got what he deserved. No police officer should strike a suspect and nor should a suspect/ civilian strike a police officer. I respect law enforcement and I will always because I know their job isn’t easy but when you hit a suspect there is not excuse for it.
Listening to the comments are sickening. Women saying that maybe she deserved it etc but if the abuser in question was a black man (which has happened) it is “What kind of home training did he have.” ” There THEY go again.” But because it is one of your OWN he must have been justified, was she on drugs etc. Wow. But when a black person has been killed by a police officer all the BLUE LIVES MATTER facebook signs go up and it is automatically assumed it is justified. There is no need for video or nothing else at that time. Why. Now that it is in the community you live in with someone you know it just can’t be true. Well it is true and the perfect bubble you think you live in isn’t so perfect. The videos were watched, statements taken and a logical conclusion was made. What if he was found innocent of excessive force? Would we be even having this uproar? No. Good job Chief thanks for the transparency.
Wow she breaks every law and puts everyone in harms way BUT yet the officer gets fired for doing his job. People in this town are so judgmental and self righteous and ready to blame others and he was doing his job. If the negative comment and bad mouthing people on here thinks its so easy to be an officer, go be one instead of someone drawing welfare, that this officer helps pay by the way and stop being part of the problem.
His job wasn’t to beat a suspect that was in custody. If you haven’t been paying attention, the office is part of the problem.
Agree with Get Real. The point is the officers action, because he is a Police official
I’ve known Bobbitt for over 10 years now and if he’s a “bad apple” then BPD is nothing but a bunch of expired apple butter.
No One is above the law good job chief
OMG! 6 years of defending his community & he gets the boot. She disobeyed the law & unless you were at the scene, how can you judge? You show us nothing, how can we give a true opinion? This POLITICALLY CORRECT has gone too far.
God Bless our Protectors.
Why didn’t you name the criminal? As I read this, all I could think of was POLITICALLY CORRECT. I am sick of everyone demanding being handled with kid gloves when they have obviously broken the law. Unless you were there & heard everything, you have no right to judge this man that protects us all on a daily basis. Stop blaming our hero police.
I knew it,he smacked a white woman. I really hope that isnt the main reason for his dismissal. I think he also went out of jurisdiction during the pursuit.
Jurisdiction doesn’t matter during pursuits. “Hot pursuit” clause says an officer can continue to give chase if you are running from him, even if you enter a place normally otherwise protected. This means he can leave city/county limits, and chase you into your house w/o a warrant. Otherwise criminals could just cross the city limits and turn around and laugh.
I know Officer Bobbitt personally and can attest to his character and integrity. His honesty is above reproach and he, on my book, is a great officer. I also know that our police chief is that also. I can only think that without being there that something must have triggered him to react like this. I hope he wins his appeal or finds another job for him and his family.
I honestly wish there was an sure way to rehabilitate officers who act outside of the police policies. Assumption are just how you would like to believe it to be and to say that anyone deserved a beating when was not needed by an officer is foolish. Place yourself as the suspect regardless of how wrong she may have been. You would want the person accountable to be penalized. Chief, I pray you continue to make such choices based on the evidence placed before you.
To say there are no “bad apples” in the Brenham PD is a nice statement. But is not based in reality. Do you believe that every teacher is great, every surgeon is perfect, every mechanic is the best? Not in this world. Take off the rose colored glasses and realize we are all human, and our profession does not make us infalliable.
It’s a true statement, if you know every one of them
But was she resisting? Was she on narcotics? I would love for this dash cam footage to be released so the public, who this directly affects, can make their own decision on whether this was justified or not. I have a feeling, from knowing Cpl. Bobbitt and others on the force, that this is a political move by the top dogs to make an “example” of him. May God have mercy on their souls if this appeal goes through. I hope the city has their checkbooks ready.
Very Good. Need more departments to do this instead of the #LeaveWithOutPay treatment when it comes to police force since they’re always in the “RIGHT”. #WomenMatter #BlackLivesMatter
I really don’t get the #BlackLivesMatter tag in your comment. The subject in question was white. Which we’ve still haven’t seen any video footage yet either of what he did. Everyone else gets in an uproar from the footage before a comment is made. I think we all need to see the video footage first to make our own opinion. I’m not trying to call anyone a liar, but the video is the only thing that doesn’t lie.
Good job chief!!! Let these police officers know that you won’t tolerate this bad behavior!!
He’s not a bad man nor officer! I can’t stand law enforcement except a couple and he’s one! I hate this happened to him!
Absolutely ridiculous that he was terminated….. Under what definition does one classify “use of force”?? Every agency is so scared and walking on egg shells now to avoid lawsuits, that they forget what their purpose is- to serve and protect. Hope the appeal goes through and he gets his job back. Again I say absolutely ridiculous it even came to this.
You people should educate yourselves. Officer Bobbit is a good guy and a fair officer. For all you know the woman resisted arrest etc. I would’ve hit her upside the head too for being stupid evading arrest through multiple counties. She could have taken innocent lives!! Maybe he knocked some sense into her. Brenham PD is only doing this bc if they hadn’t I’m sure the nice lady would have it all over news networks and he would’ve ended up fired anyway. It’s sad that this is even affecting our small county!! I hope his appeal goes through!!
Maybe there was a reason for Robert Bobbitt had a reason for doing what he did. I don’t personally know Bobbitt. But he is a great man.
Thank You Chief Goodman.
Let’s keep our Brenham Police officers professional and let them know there are consequences for not being professional.
Great job chief.
What no picture of officer bobbit everyone else who brakes the law get the privilege of having their photo post so we know who to avoid .
KWHI’s policy is to post photos of persons charged with a felony crime. Officer Bobbitt has just been dismissed from his position…not charged with a crime. We do not post photos of persons who were just fired from their job.
I applaud the police department for investigating the assault. Keep up the investigating it’s some more bad apples. But kiddos to the officers who follows policies and procedures
There are no “Bad apples” at the Brenham Police Department
Well one just got fired so what do you call excessive force.
A bad apple is a bad person all the way around. Continued lack of judgement, disrespectful, dishonest, etc. Richie is not any of these things. Whether or not he used “excessive force” does not classify this man as a bad person. None of us were there. We don’t know how bad it got. We don’t know if she said or did anything else, besides a pursuit in which she could have killed someone, including someone close to YOU, that made Bobbitt believe he had to shut her down . The men and women at the Brenham PD need everyone’s support, trust, and respect right now. Not for people to down their character.
real good person.
l.
Castillo is charged with Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine; Evading arrest with a vehicle; and Resisting arrest
Excessive force… That doesn’t have a definition. Who is to say what is excessive and what is not… Officers do what they have to do every day, He used the force he felt he needed to control the situation. Pencil pushers behind a desk watching videos can not judge. They were not there. This whole situation is what is wrong with todays society. Everybody that wasn’t involved is quick to judge and make decisions when they weren’t even at the scene to know first hand information. My opinion, there should NOT be dash and body cameras. Officers word should be good enough.
Robert Bobbit is a good man and was very faithful to his job. I hope he gets his job back. If he struck the lady she probably deserved it. But then again they must have hard evidence to go ahead and fire him. But I can’t see him doing something he wasn’t trained to do. The cops are always keeping people in jail longer than they should be just trying to find a reason to keep them. It’s not fair to the incentive ones. Or even the guilty ones of minor stuff they keep in jail too long. I really like Robert Bobbit he did his job.
Journey47
Times have changed along with what is considered appropriate behavior for how an officer treats a suspect. Actions that used to be considered appro-
priate or within acceptable limits by many police depts. and citizens are now viewed more closely through the eyes of our constitution and legal system. An officer is to enforce our laws but it is up to the judge and jury to decide punish-
meant based on the law. Amazingly, even though officers now wear cameras and have them mounted in their vehicles, they do not seem to be getting the message that times have changed and old behaviors are no longer acceptable. I don’t know if this officer has ever crossed over the legal boundaries before when dealing with the public, but now he has to deal with his actions during his most recent encounter. I have respect and gratitude for the men and women who try to keep us all safe by putting their lives on the line. I am hopeful too that officers will come to realize the limits of their authority and incidents, such as this one, will help others rethink how they deal with the public. We want all of our children to grow up respecting officers and not being fearful of interacting with them no matter our race, creed, sexual persuasion, etc. That’s how things should work in a democracy