Fort Worth police fire officer they say used excessive force during off-duty arrest

Fort Worth police fired an officer Friday who they say used excessive force during an arrest last summer.

Jose Salazar was placed on restricted duty following the July 22 incident, the department said. It was unclear whether he had an attorney.

According to police, Salazar was working an off-duty security job at a Fort Worth bar when a man outside got into an argument with employees. After the man started walking away “without presenting any threat toward Officer Salazar or the public,” Salazar pushed him to the ground and forcefully arrested him, the department said.

Surveillance footage of the incident contradicted the officer’s version of events, police said.

Police officials determined Salazar used greater force than necessary and did not truthfully report the incident, and Chief Neil Noakes made the decision to fire him.

The department said in a written statement that Salazar “did not conduct himself in a manner that represents the professionalism of our officers” and that it would continue to hold its employees accountable.

Police did not identify the man Salazar arrested or give the status of the charge or charges against him.

Salazar had been with the department for 15 years and was last assigned to the dignitary protection unit

Fort Worth police have fired a number of officers in recent months, including three in December in unrelated cases involving burglary, domestic violence and misuse of a city computer; and three in November in unrelated cases involving lying about off-duty work, family violence and aggravated assault. Two others were terminated in October over drinking on the job and a domestic-violence arrest.