Officer Jared Rivas of the Galveston Police Department has been terminated following a violent altercation at a children’s pool party at Island Bay Resort, prompting families to seek justice and legal action against him and the involved parties.
GALVESTON, Texas — Following his role in a confrontation at a children's pool party, Officer Jared Rivas was fired by the Galveston Police Department in a stunning incident that has left families seeking justice.
Video footage from the June 25 incident at the Island Bay Resort shows Rivas obnoxiously addressing families—including small children—who were there for a birthday party. Video evidence and eyewitness reports show Rivas punching and pinning several people, which raises severe questions about how law enforcement personnel should behave in public areas.
Families who the tragedy has impacted have expressed their dismay and sadness, saying that Rivas's actions have destroyed their faith in those who have vowed to keep them safe.
Lori Lozano is a mother of two abused boys. After the incident, the families, represented by attorney Adalberto Ruiz, are pursuing legal action against Rivas as well as the Galveston Police Department and the Island Bay Resort.
Another attendee, Heidi Williams, commented, "An officer of the law, who the kids are supposed to trust, is now harming them."
The families claim that even with numerous uniformed police there, nothing was done to defuse the situation and for Rivas's violent behavior to continue unabated.
"Despite numerous uniformed officers being able to take control of the situation, they didn't," Ruiz said in criticism of the police reaction. "They have only contributed to the disorder and uncertainty."
The families have also demanded accountability from UTMB Hospital, alleging that when they arrived for medical attention, staff members declined to treat the injured kids. "They ought to have received care. It's a hospital there. An adult attacked them, according to Williams.
The Galveston County District Attorney's office is examining the case to determine whether Rivas will face criminal charges.
The district attorney's office stated in a statement that "many witnesses and several allegations are involved in the investigation of this incident."
In the meantime, the families are demanding a thorough evaluation of law enforcement officers' training protocols, stressing the need for better handling of similar situations in the future.
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