Austin Police Officer Jailed on Child Injury Charges

An Austin police officer is behind bars, charged with two counts of injury to a child. Cameron Caldwell, 39, turned himself in to Williamson County Jail on Friday, according to Cedar Park PD spokesperson Alicia Gallagher. Caldwell is an Austin PD officer, as shown by city records, which also reveal a history of disciplinary issues, including excessive force.

An Ongoing Investigation

Gallagher stated that Caldwell's arrest followed an active investigation and that he had two warrants out for his arrest when he turned himself in. The specific details of the charges and the number of children involved are not yet clear.

A Dark Pattern in the Force?

This incident adds to a concerning trend within the Austin PD, as just last year, another officer, Geoffrey Freeman, was indicted on murder charges. Caldwell's case also raises questions about the department's vetting processes, given his history of excessive force.

Texas Justice

In Texas, injury to a child is a serious offense, carrying penalties from six months in jail to life imprisonment.

The full story can be found here: [URL to original article]

Sources:
[URL to jail records]
[URL to Austin PD disciplinary records]
[URL to 2016 excessive force incident report]