Texas police officer shown punching pregnant suspect reinstated, officials say

SAN ANTONIO — A Texas police officer has been reinstated more than four years after cameras appeared to show her striking a handcuffed, pregnant suspect multiple times, authorities said.

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According to KSAT and WOAI, San Antonio police Officer Elizabeth Montoya was suspended indefinitely in January 2019 in connection with the July 2018 incident, which occurred during a drug search west of downtown. Police camera footage appeared to show Montoya repeatedly punching the head of suspect Kimberly Esparza, who was pregnant, authorities said. Police documents also said Montoya left the suspect sitting on the ground for nearly 30 minutes while it was raining, the news outlets reported.

During arbitration earlier this year, Montoya’s attorney pointed to body camera video that appeared to show Esparza kicking Montoya, KSAT reported. Montoya called her own strikes “rabbit punches” and argued that they were necessary to get Esparza to comply and stop kicking her, according to the news outlet.

Montoya’s lawyer also said the officer’s indefinite suspension was more severe than punishments the department had handed down to others on the force for similar offenses, KSAT reported.

The arbitrator ultimately decided to lighten Montoya’s penalty, reducing her suspension to 45 days, according to WOAI.

In a statement Wednesday, City Attorney Andy Segovia said he was “disappointed with the arbitrator’s decision.”

“The city clearly established that the officer’s conduct was not in keeping with the standards established by SAPD,” the statement read, according to the news outlets.

The officer was back at work on Wednesday, KSAT reported.

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