Former San Antonio police officer Elizabeth Montoya was fired after assaulting a pregnant lady in an arrest.
KSAT-TV
A former Texas police officer who was canned for repeatedly punching a handcuffed pregnant lady is making an attempt to get her job again, in accordance with native experiences.
Physique-worn digicam video reveals ex-San Antonio Police Officer Elizabeth Montoya punching a handcuffed Kimberly Esparza a number of occasions within the face throughout a July 2018 arrest, the San Antonio Police Division mentioned.
She was fired in January 2019 for inhumane remedy of a suspect throughout an arrest.
Montoya is at the moment going via a third-party arbitration course of in an try to get her job again, in addition to obtain backpay and advantages.
As a part of the arbitration listening to, law enforcement officials testified that on the night time of the arrest, Montoya searched Esparza whereas investigating a house that had been burglarized, the San Antonio Categorical Information reported Wednesday .
Officer body-worn video reveals Esparza telling Montoya she was six months pregnant.
“Six months pregnant and also you’re out right here doing this,” Montoya tells Esparza, after discovering what seemed to be a tablet in Esparza’s bra, the video reveals.
Montoya tells Esparza she wants to look between her legs, and Esparza responds she doesn’t need Montoya to look her as a result of she’s in ache from the being pregnant.
“You’re hurting my again,” Esparza says as Montoya continues looking her.
“Are you going to cease?” Montoya asks, as Esparza kicks and screams.
“Should you kick me once more, I'll break your arm,” Montoya warns.
Esparza kicks Montoya a second time as officers attempt to place her behind a police unit, in accordance with the video.
Montoya then punches Esparza within the face a number of occasions and one other officer tries to cease Montoya.
“I’m pregnant, dude. Why did you hit me like that,” Esparza says.
“Cease performing such as you’re frightened about your f–king child. You’re not frightened about your child should you’re taking medication when you’re pregnant,” Montoya says.
Throughout the arbitration course of, inner affairs investigators with the San Antonio Police Division mentioned that Montoya lied about what number of occasions she hit Esparza. Montoya additionally muted her physique digicam, in accordance with WOAI.
Montoya’s lawyer, Robert Leonard, requested throughout arbitration that Montoya be rehired and punished one other manner, in accordance with the San Antonio Categorical Information.
“Whatever the metropolis’s place that the incident captured on video appears to be like unhealthy, if you peel again the layers and have a look at the underlying info and circumstances on this case, you will note that … she was performing inside coaching. She was performing inside coverage.”
Leonard couldn't be instantly reached for remark.
The San Antonio Police Union president testified Thursday that Montoya was by no means supplied various coaching or retraining earlier than her termination.
Since being axed by the San Antonio Police Division, Montoya has been employed by the Elmendorf Police Division, one other division within the San Antonio space.
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