New video released in connection with use of force investigation in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas – On Wednesday, Fort Worth police released additional information and footage from an internal investigation into the use of force in connection with the arrest of Carolyn Rodriguez.

In a new statement, the FWPD said the officer involved, whose identity has not yet been determined, has been removed from patrol duty.

“The officer involved, who has been with the Fort Worth Police Department for seven years, has been removed from patrol duty pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement said.

Police also released two video recordings of the arrest. One shows surveillance footage without sound from a nearby store, the second shows footage from the body camera of the officer involved.

Body camera footage shows the officer getting out of a patrol car and approaching Rodriguez, saying, “Carolina, we’re busy.” Seconds later, the officer tells her she can move to the other side of the street or he will arrest her. Rodriguez responds, “What are you talking about?” and asks why.

The officer then tells her she is under arrest and handcuffs her. Rodriguez can be heard saying “no, no, no” before the officer says “do not resist” and throws Rodriguez to the pavement.

According to Rodriguez, she lost consciousness at that moment. Despite this, the officer continued to yell: “Stop resisting.”

The entire interaction between the first words exchanged and Rodriguez losing consciousness lasted 15 seconds.

A police officer at the scene looked down at Rodriguez and said, “She’s bleeding.”

Rodriguez suffered numerous injuries during the arrest and was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said in a statement.

She was later released from the hospital, taken to prison and charged with obstruction of public order, resisting arrest and/or false imprisonment, evading arrest and making a false alarm or false report.

The department reiterated the Fort Worth Police Department’s serious case and the Internal Investigations Division is investigating the incident. Fort Worth police say they also sent the video to Fort Worth’s Office of Police Monitor, a civilian police oversight board.

Watch footage of the arrest here: