Sweetwater police officer accused of misconduct makes bail — for $100

A former Sweetwater police officer has been terminated from his job as a result of alleged mistreatment of an individual during an arrest.

Former Cpl. Caleb Norman turned himself into the Runnels County Jail after a warrant was filed with the Nolan County District Clerk's Office on June 20.

He stands accused of official oppression, a class A misdemeanor, according to Nolan County records.

Norman made bail from the Runnels County Jail on June 22 by paying a $100 bond, according to Runnels County Jail staff.

Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

Allegation: 'Struck a handcuffed individual'

The Sweetwater Police Department received an official complaint on March 24 "regarding a patrol officer allegedly using excessive force in the course of arresting an individual," according to a recent Sweetwater Police Department press release .

The complaint alleged that Norman "struck a handcuffed individual in the face" during an arrest. SPD placed Norman on administrative leave after receiving the complaint.

An internal affairs investigation was subsequently initiated. SPD also referred their investigation to the Texas Rangers "to review any criminal matters," according to the press release. SPD found that Norman had violated department policy in the course of the investigation.

He was placed on "indefinite suspension and dismissed of duties from the Sweetwater Police Department" on June 12, according to the SPD press release.

The Texas Rangers subsequently "presented the case to a Nolan County grand jury and an indictment was issued" on June 18.

On June 20, the case and arrest warrant were filed in Nolan County, according to Nolan County online records.

Norman surrendered himself on the morning of June 22 to the Runnels County Jail for a charge of official oppression.

"No further information will be released at this time regarding the internal affairs investigation pending an appeal," according to the SPD.

This case is in the hands of the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office.

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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Sweetwater police officer accused of misconduct makes bail — for $100