• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

3 North Texas officers indicted for allegedly using excessive force during 2020 riots

'I hope those individuals who will judge those officers do so through a lens of what all of our officers experienced while protecting Dallas in one of the most chaotic times in its history,' Dallas chief says

North Texas officers

Dallas riots, 2020. (Screenshot KDFW)

May 7, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

DALLAS – Two officers from the Dallas Police Department and one from nearby Garland Police Department were indicted by a grand jury for allegedly assaulting individuals during summer 2020 riots.

“After nearly two years of investigation, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot announces a Dallas County Grand Jury has returned indictments on multiple police officers charged in connection to the Summer 2020 Protests in Downtown Dallas in the wake of the death of George Floyd,” the DA’s office said a statement.

Sr. Cpl. Melvin Williams and Sr. Cpl. Ryan Mabry, both SWAT officers with Dallas police, were initially charged in the case in February. But they were indicted along with Garland police officer Joe Priviit on Friday, WFAA reported.

Creuzot’s office presented the cases to the grand jury on May 4. At the end of his statement, he noted, “It is important to remember that all parties are entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

The Dallas officers faced a handful of charges stemming from protests ignited by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, according to the Dallas Observer.

Friday’s indictment alleges six counts of aggravated assault by a public servant and two deadly conduct charges against Mabry.

Williams is charged with four counts of aggravated assault by a public servant and two charges of deadly conduct.

Privitt was indicted on one charge of aggravated assault by a public servant, the Dallas Observer reported.

Meanwhile, Williams was fired by the Dallas Police Department in late January after a video circulated showing him punch a man in the head several times while trying to break up a street fight in Deep Ellum last summer, according to the news outlet.

Mabry and Williams were previously charged in February with three counts of official oppression.

According to the news outlet, the Dallas officers find themselves indicted largely over their use of less lethal munitions.

Mabry is currently on administrative leave.

North Texas officers
Dallas riots, 2020. (Screenshot KDFW)

Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan appeared to take issue with the indictment of his officer as he reminded attendees at the press conference late Friday afternoon that the case against Privitt is still working its way through court.

“Out of respect for the criminal justice system, I have a prepared statement, but I’m not going to be answering questions,” Bryan said, as he was accompanied by a group of officers who wanted to be present as he read the statement.

“I’m astonished and disappointed to learn that Officer Privitt of the Garland Police Department was indicted by a Dallas County grand jury this week related to actions he took in assisting the Dallas Police Department during riots that occurred in Dallas almost two years ago,” Bryan said.

“On May 30, 2020, officers of the Garland Police Department, including Officer Privitt, responded to downtown Dallas at the urgent request of the Dallas Police Department after earlier protests that afternoon had deteriorated to rioting during the later hours,” he noted.

Bryan authorized his officers to help DPD to help prevent the loss of life and property “threatened by the riots.” He highlighted that his officers were put into a “rapidly evolving, chaotic and dangerous situation.”

North Dallas officers
Dallas riots, 2020. (Screenshot KDFW)

The supportive chief emphasized that protesters set fires, brandished firearms and threw objects at police. “In response, officers attempting to stop the rioting were often required to make split-second decisions under the most dangerous of circumstances to protect their lives, and the lives and property of the citizens of Dallas, often placing themselves in harm’s way while doing so,” Bryan declared.

In regards to Privitt, the chief said he is a highly decorated officer who’s been with the department for over three decades without any disciplinary marks. “I have not seen evidence against Officer Privitt that rises to the level of the criminal conduct that has been alleged by the grand jury,” he said. Privitt will be on placed on “administrative duties” until this is resolved.

North Dallas officers
Dallas riots, 2020. (Screenshot KDFW)

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia — who was not with the department in 2020 — addressed the indictments during a press conference Friday, the Dallas Observer reported.

“The negative light that has been shown on our department today is difficult for the brave men and women who protect our city day in and day out,” Garcia said. “The message to the community today should be: in light of these protests, riots and looting, that there were hundreds of officers that were professional and did their duty to defend this city.”

Garcia added: “If the actions of that day rose to criminal intent, that is for a jury to decide at this point. I hope those individuals who will judge those officers do so through a lens of what all of our officers experienced while protecting Dallas in one of the most chaotic times in its history.”


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Chief Eddie GarciaChief Jeff BryanDallas County District Attorney's OfficeDallas Police DepartmentGarland Police DepartmentJoe PriviitJohn CreuzotMelvin Williamsmust-readRyan Mabry
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Mayor Eric Johnson

Dallas mayor ditching Democratic Party, joining GOP

September 22, 2023
Dallas police

Dallas police release bodycam footage of officer-involved shooting with murder suspect

September 20, 2023
driver strikes 4 Dallas police officers

Pickup truck driver strikes 4 Dallas police officers during standoff with shooting suspect

September 15, 2023
David Ruback

Armored car guard shot and killed during robbery in Dallas

September 4, 2023
Matthew Bacon

Dallas police officer dies by suicide days after being involved in fatal shooting

August 10, 2023
Dallas Police

Dallas Police pursuit of stolen U-Haul truck ends in gun battle

July 26, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

Guardian Plan

Judge orders State of New York to pay $447K to NRA following Supreme Court victory

October 2, 2023
Pete Anthony Renteria

California man accused of 4 murders this year

October 2, 2023
Bay Area store clerk

Bay Area store clerk set on fire with lighter fluid as he confronts serial shoplifter

October 2, 2023
Kendall Eugene Rhoads

Iowa firefighter charged with more than a dozen counts of arson

October 2, 2023
Correctional Officer Robert Clark

Georgia correctional officer killed at state prison by convicted murderer

October 2, 2023
Police leaders

Police leaders say ‘legislative fix’ only way to resolve SRO issue after Moriarty letter

October 2, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com