A traffic stop over a little-known violation has the driver accusing police of harassment in a Fort Worth Police Department internal affairs complaint. And the driver claims police video helps prove his case.
The parking lot driveway along Camp Bowie Boulevard that Tony Abbs passed through has no sidewalk crossing it, but records show he was still charged with failing to yield to one there anyway.
“If they do this to me, they probably, in my opinion, are doing it to someone else,” Abbs said.
Abbs claimed the entire traffic stop was part of a series of incidents involving a police officer who worked off-duty security at an apartment complex where Abbs used to live.
Police dash cam video of the June 2014 traffic stop shows a squad car, driven by another officer, arriving after Abbs’ pick up truck had already left the driveway he was accused of violating. The officer from the apartment complex appears at the scene, but leaves.
Police shirt cam video shows Abbs handcuffed and other officers searching his vehicle.
A police report said officers had reason to believe Abbs had been selling “ice,” or crack cocaine, when they stopped him. Abbs was also cited for no insurance, to which he pleaded no contest and paid a fine. However, he fought the sidewalk charge in Municipal Court.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
At one court session Abbs said a Fort Worth prosecutor claimed there were no pictures from the traffic stop and the officers claimed they had not searched his vehicle.
“There was another round, and that’s when the video and all came through,” Abbs said.
Records show the sidewalk charge was dismissed but Abbs still filed an internal affairs complaint against the officers.
“That badge stands for truth, and when they're not telling the truth, for a black person like me or anybody else, that's not right for anybody,” Abbs said.
Tony Abbs went to the Nov. 11 Fort Worth City Council meeting to complain, and Councilman Jungus Jordan, who represents Abbs' district, said the issue deserves investigation.
Public records show Abbs had some brushes with the law in the 1990s but there is nothing to suggest he is involved in drug activity.
“I didn’t deserve this at all,” Abbs said.
A Fort Worth police spokesperson declined comment on the matter since it is now the subject of an internal affairs investigation.
