The Texas school resource officer seen on cellphone video grabbing a teen by the throat in October will not face charges after the police department conducted an internal investigation, Fox7Austin.com reported.
Officer Rigo Valles had been accused of using excessive force when he grabbed the 14-year-old high school student by the throat after the student and another boy were involved in a scuffle at a Texas high school cafeteria. A cellphone video showed the officer placing his hands around sophomore Gyasi Hughes' throat at Round Rock High School and taking Hughes to the ground. The video was given to Austin television stations, including KEYE-TV.
Hughes, who was suspended for fighting but not charged, told KEYE-TV that the officer also pushed him.
The Round Rock Police Department said its investigation, which included reviewing videos, statements and facts, determined that Valles’ actions were reasonable and within policy.
Police said in a statement that a school administrator was unable to stop the two students from fighting and was forced to have police intervene. The officers were trying to calm Hughes and walk him to another part of the building, but the teen tried to circumvent the officers and continue the fight with the other student, according to the statement.
"Officers were forced to detain him for his safety and the safety of others," police said at the time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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