Police Misconduct — The Worst Case in November

Over at Cato’s Police Misconduct web site, we have identified the worst case for the month of November. It involved several officers with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).


Here’s what reportedly happened. SAPD police were hunting for a suspect on drugs and weapons charges. In a case of mistaken identity, officers swarmed on poor Roger Carlos. Mr. Carlos had done nothing wrong. He was apparently just standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. And even though Mr. Carlos complied with the police commands, to get on the ground and to not resist arrest, they just kept hitting him over and over again.


Mr. Carlos’s wife, Ronnie, still can’t believe what has happened to her husband. The couple has three boys under the age of ten–but their father is now paralyzed from the chest down. Doctors are also concerned that Mr. Carlos may have difficulty breathing down the road. The medical bills for multiple surgeries are enormous.


After reviewing the case, a police discipline board recommended 15‐​day suspensions for three officers involved. The Police Chief, William McManus, thought that recommendation was wrong. He shortened each of the suspensions to five days.