Written by In January 2020, Clarence Crawford, a Black resident of New Braunfels, Texas, was subjected to a traffic stop by Officer Kaleb Meyer of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) for an allegedly “dirty” license plate. The encounter escalated when Officer Meyer approached Crawford’s vehicle with his gun drawn, a deviation from standard protocol for a minor traffic violation.
Body camera footage released by the NBPD captures the tense interaction. Crawford, visibly distressed, can be heard pleading, “Please don’t shoot me, officer! I’m Black!” Despite his compliance, Officer Meyer forcibly removed Crawford from his vehicle, ordered him to the ground, and deployed a Taser twice on the back of his leg while he was on his hands and knees. Crawford was subsequently handcuffed and held on the ground until backup arrived.
Following the incident, Crawford was charged with attempting to elude an officer and interfering with police duties. However, these charges were later dismissed at the request of the police department. The Comal County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged that while there was probable cause for the initial traffic stop, Officer Meyer’s approach and use of force were inappropriate for the situation.
In response to the incident, Officer Meyer resigned from the NBPD in September 2020. The city’s police chief, Tom Wibert, also retired around the same time, citing the incident as a contributing factor.lmtonline.com+5kens5.com+5ksat.com+5
Crawford filed a federal lawsuit against the City of New Braunfels, alleging violations of his civil rights, including excessive force and racial profiling. The lawsuit highlighted the physical and emotional trauma Crawford endured, including job loss and ongoing anxiety.
In April 2023, the City of New Braunfels agreed to settle the lawsuit for $175,000. While the settlement did not include an admission of liability, it underscored the gravity of the incident and the need for accountability within the police department.expressnews.com+1atlantablackstar.com+1
This case brings attention to concerns about police conduct, especially regarding the treatment of Black individuals during routine traffic stops. It emphasizes the importance of proper training, adherence to protocol, and the necessity for law enforcement agencies to address issues of racial bias and excessive force to maintain public trust and safety.
## Officer Forum Links:
– [Officer Kaleb Meyer](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/officer-kaleb-meyer/)
– [Police Chief Tom Wibert](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/police-chief-tom-wibert/)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdvD33vohPA