KPD Investigates Incident at Bellaire Elementary

Killeen Police investigate early morning incident at Bellaire Elementary School.

The Killeen Police Department was contacted today, May 20, 2016 at 7:55am, in reference to an incident that took place between a 9 year male and an off-duty Killeen Police Officer, inside Bellaire Elementary School located at 108 W. Jasper Road at 7:20am.    A supervisor responded to the school and began speaking to those involved and the school’s administration.

The supervisor was advised that the off-duty officer had signed into the school for personal business.  While walking in the hallway the officer heard a disturbance inside a classroom and entered the classroom to check the welfare of those inside.  Upon entering the classroom he identified himself as a Killeen Police Officer to the individuals involved in the disturbance.   The officer gained control of the child causing the disturbance.  The officer ascertained from the faculty member what normal protocol should be for this situation.  He was told the child should be removed to the principal’s office.  The officer and a faculty member then removed the child from the classroom.  While escorting the child to the principal’s office, he began to resist causing the officer to restrain him.  Once the child was restrained other members of the faculty took control of the situation.

As is required by protocol, the Killeen Police Department initiated a criminal investigation as a result of minor injuries observed on the child; this investigation is to determine if these injuries occurred during this incident and under what circumstances.   The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the criminal investigation and an internal investigation that has been initiated to determine if the officer’s conduct was appropriate and within department policy.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department