The San Antonio Police Department late last year fired detective Jack E. Harper III over allegations he punched and verbally berated suspects in a car-theft case even though they appeared to show no threat, newly available disciplinary records show.
In addition to his alleged use of excessive force, Harper was punished for turning off his body-worn camera minutes into the call, filing an inaccurate report and trying to interfere with an internal investigation, according to SAPD documents.
Department brass slapped Harper with an indefinite suspension on Dec. 18, which is tantamount to a firing, records indicate.
The allegations aren’t the first time Harper faced discipline for violating department use-of-force rules, his latest disciplinary document states. He also faced similar charges several years ago, although it’s unclear what punishment he received that time, according to SAPD’s file.
Harper’s removal from the force stems from a June 28, 2024 chase, during which the detective helped other SAPD personnel pursue three car-theft suspects who ditched their allegedly stolen ride at roughly 10 p.m. around the 1700 block of I-10 West.
Police chased the suspects on foot and found the first while searching a wooded area, according to the SAPD report. An officer ordered the man to put his hands in the air and face in the opposite direction.
Even though the suspect appeared to be obeying commands, Harper placed the man’s hands behind his back, then punched him in the face, according to disciplinary records. After the suspect collapsed, the detective rained down six more punches to his face and head, documents also state.
After the suspect asked why he’d been punched, Harper responded, “Shut the fuck up,” then slapped the man across face, according to the disciplinary file. The detective delivered the blow even though the man didn’t appear to be resisting as other officers put him in handcuffs, the document said.
After the suspect was cuffed, the detective also repeatedly called him a “motherfucker,” according to the report.
After Harper encountered another SAPD officer who’d captured and handcuffed the second suspect, the report states that the detective approached the man as he lay prone and taunted him.
“What’s up, homie, how are you doing?” Harper reportedly said. “I just want to let you know something. You’s a bitch.”
After that, Harper struck the man with an open hand to his head, according to the report.
After SAPD launched an internal probe into Harper’s use of force, investigators learned that he switched off his body cam 9 minutes into the call, disciplinary documents show.
Further, SAPD records accuse Harper of filing false statements about his conduct that were contradicted by other officers’ body cam footage. The report also accuses the detective of contacting a witness in the internal investigation prior to that person offering testimony.
“Detective Harper’s actions render his continuance in the office detrimental to effective law enforcement and the needs of the San Antonio Police Department,” his disciplinary report reads. “The law and sound community expectations recognize that there is good cause for depriving Detective Harper of his position.”
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This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.
