Another Fort Worth officer placed on restricted duty over ‘racially insensitive’ social-media posting

For the second time in a week, Fort Worth police placed one of its officers on restricted duty over “racially insensitive” social media posts.

The department said that it had been made aware of the matter involving a four-year veteran of the force on Friday and immediately began investigating. The officer’s gun, badge and police powers were taken away during the course of the investigation.

Police did not release the officer’s name or provide any additional information about the posts.

On Monday, Fort Worth police said they had been alerted to offensive posts made by a three-year department veteran, who also was placed on restricted duty. Police also did not identify that officer.

In both cases the department said it is “committed to transparency” and will release more details when it is legally able to do so, but did not say what legal issues prevented it from releasing details immediately.

In a written statement, Mayor Betsy Price said she was “deeply disappointed to see that we are having this conversation again,” adding that she appreciated the swift action taken by new police Chief Neil Noakes.

“The culture of the Fort Worth Police Department must be one of excellence and integrity,” Price said. “With more officers who are committed to holding one another to the high standards of the department, we see a shifting culture within the department. However, we still have work to do and it is absolutely imperative that we do it.”