INDECENT POLICING IN FORT WORTH: “I’m not going to talk to that nigger; he’s an idiot.” Official Complaint – Racial Slur and Misconduct by Fort Worth Police Officer Against Civil Rights Pastor Kyev Tatum

INDECENT POLICING IN FORT WORTH: “I’m not going to talk to that nigger; he’s an idiot.” Fort Worth Policer Officer about talking to Morningside Pastor. Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1130545267

Official Complaint – Racial Slur and Misconduct by Fort Worth Police Officer Against Civil Rights Pastor Kyev Tatum.

To:

The Honorable Mattie Parker, Mayor, City of Fort Worth

Members of the Fort Worth City Council

Mr. Jay Chapa, City Manager

Chief Eddie Garcia, Fort Worth Police Department

Date: October 26, 2025

Formal Complaint and Statement of Incident

On Wednesday, October 22, 2024, between approximately 6:30 and 6:45 p.m., I was traveling to Bible Study at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2864 Mississippi Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104, when I observed several Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) vehicles—both marked and unmarked—parked along Lowden Street and on the private property of our church.

As the Senior Pastor of New Mount Rose, I approached the officers to inquire about the situation and to understand why multiple police units were stationed on our private property. After respectfully identifying myself as the pastor, one white officer became visibly irritated and dismissive. When I asked for his name and badge number, he stated it hastily; when I asked again for clarity, he refused to repeat it. I then asked for permission to park in our church lot and was told to “go around.”

After parking in the rear lot, I approached again to seek a clearer explanation as to why the church grounds were being used as a staging area for an unrelated warrant execution. Another officer acknowledged that the situation could have been handled with more courtesy. I then requested that the first officer come forward to speak with me directly.

As that officer approached, witnesses and neighbors overheard him say, “I’m not going to talk to that nigger; he’s an idiot.”

This hateful statement, made in uniform and on duty, was heard clearly by several residents in the area. In that moment, I began filming, praying, and singing hymns aloud in an effort to de-escalate what had become an extremely volatile situation.

Statement of Concern

As a civil rights pastor with more than 40 years of experience in community engagement and police-community relations, I found this officer’s behavior to be not only unprofessional but also profoundly disturbing and dangerous.

Such conduct violates the Fort Worth Police Department’s General Orders and constitutes a direct assault on the dignity, safety, and humanity of Black residents and clergy in Fort Worth.

This officer’s language and demeanor were intimidating, discriminatory, and unbecoming of a sworn law enforcement officer. His actions undermine the city’s professed commitment to equity, justice, and community policing.

Community Context

Since 2004, our ministry has worked tirelessly to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Our efforts have included:

• Founding the Community Peacemakers Program to promote police-community cooperation and conflict resolution through mediation training (https://www.tarleton.edu/news/fort-worth-city-council-recognizes-tarleton-training-program-participants/).

• Helping design the 3E Plan for Equity and Equality for Everyone, a framework to build collaboration between law enforcement and community leaders (https://www.scribd.com/document/239237644/Fort-Worth-police-3-E-Action-Plan).

• Creating the Fun Over Guns Pitch, Hit & Run Invitational, designed to provide positive outlets for youth and reduce community violence (https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/fun-over-guns-community-efforts-to-end-gun-violence-starting-with-fort-worths-future-leaders/).

• Partnering with the White House’s National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice to advance national models of police-community reconciliation (https://trustandjustice.org/resources/intervention/implicit-bias).

Despite these longstanding commitments, I was verbally assaulted and dehumanized by a Fort Worth police officer—on my own church grounds, in full view of my congregation’s neighborhood.

Additional Information Regarding the Incident

Following the incident, I learned that the warrant being executed contained the wrong name and address. The home that was raided was not connected to the individual named in the warrant, yet residents suffered property destruction, broken windows, and needless trauma.

This misuse of authority and disregard for constitutional and human rights reflects a disturbing pattern of excessive and racially biased policing in our community. As of September 2025, more than 50% of all FWPD use-of-force incidents have involved Black residents—more than those involving White and Hispanic residents combined.

Formal Requests for Action

I respectfully request the following:

1. An immediate Internal Affairs investigation into the conduct of the officer who verbally assaulted me, including review of all body-worn camera footage, audio, and incident reports.

2. Formal disciplinary action and public accountability for the offending officer, including a written apology to me and to the New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church congregation.

3. A public town hall meeting in the Morningside community, jointly organized by FWPD and community leaders, to address the ongoing harassment, intimidation, and misconduct experienced by Black residents.

4. A comprehensive review of warrant execution procedures to ensure the protection of property, safety, and civil rights of residents.

Historical Pattern and Public Accountability

This incident cannot be viewed in isolation. Fort Worth has seen repeated acts of violence, misconduct, and disregard for Black lives—including the cases of Carolyn Daniels, Noah Lopez, RaRa Thomas, Jermaine Darden, Kelvin Goldstein, Amara Malone, and JaQuavion Slaton.

Such incidents have eroded public trust and reinforced the perception that Black residents of Fort Worth are not treated with equal respect and protection under the law.

Conclusion

This letter serves as my official complaint and sworn statement against the Fort Worth Police Department and the officer who verbally assaulted me by using a racial slur while in uniform and on duty.

If an officer can exhibit this level of hatred and disrespect toward a pastor on church grounds, one must ask how such individuals are treating the community’s children, families, and everyday citizens when no one is watching.

This conduct is unacceptable and inexcusable. It demands swift disciplinary action and a renewed commitment to justice, accountability, and reconciliation within the City of Fort Worth.

We need a police force built on a love for people — all people — not just those who look, think, or live like them. How can you truly protect and serve a community if you don’t love the very people you’re called to serve? It simply doesn’t make sense.

With respect and resolve,

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Pastor, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

President, Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

2864 Mississippi Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

(817) 966-7625

kyevtatum@gmail.com