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.