GALVESTON, Texas — A former Galveston police officer who was fired in August has been indicted on eight charges after an incident at an apartment complex pool earlier this summer.
Jared Rivas is charged with two counts of injury to a child, unlawful restraint of a child, official oppression and four counts of assault causing bodily injury, the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office said.
The incident happened at a pool party at Island Bay Resorts on June 25, according to the Galveston Police Department. They said Rivas was off-duty and working as a security guard when he was called to break up the party.
A cellphone video taken by a witness shows a man in a gray t-shirt, believed to be Rivas, repeatedly punching someone on the ground who was being held down by a uniformed officer.
"Somebody call 9-1-1," a woman is heard saying on the video.
"There's a big fight at the swimming pool at Island Bay Resorts," the caller then tells the 9-1-1 dispatcher. "Looks like an adult man hit a child."
Rivas was initially put on paid restricted duty while GPD conducted an internal investigation.
Police Chief Doug Balli later determined that "Rivas reacted to the incident in ways that were not reasonable, or in line with conduct expected of an officer."
He was then placed on indefinite suspension and later terminated.
“The actions of Rivas were not consistent with the training of the Galveston Police Department and do not represent the values we expect of officers,” Balli said. "The actions in question do not represent the values we hold dear at the GPD."
It's not clear if any action was taken against the other officer but Balli said in July that others may face disciplinary actions as the investigation continues.
“I completely understand this has shaken the community’s faith in our department, and pledge that we will do everything possible to earn back their trust," the chief said.