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Fort Worth officer accused of excessive force

Community leaders call the indictment of the officer a little too late.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- A Fort Worth police officer is facing criminal charges, accused of punching and choking a black man.

According to court records, Officer Jon Romer faces charges of aggravated perjury and making a false report to a police officer.

Community leaders call the indictment of the officer a little too late.

"There is no system for us. You are going to wait for over 365 days plus and then through us some crumpets that fall from the table?" Mark Kirkland a Bishop at Saint Mark Ministries in Fort Worth and a member of the cities Race and Culture Task Force.

The incident in question dates back to November of 2016. Henry Newsom, a Fort Worth man who doesn't want to go on camera, claims he was waiting for a ride outside a hospital.

In a lawsuit, he alleges Officer Romer, questioned him with "absolutely no provocation," preceding to push him, hit him in the face and wrestle him to the ground.

Newsom is African American and Romer is white. Activists said that isn't a coincidence.

"Why did he remain on the streets until the day of his indictment -- that's unconscionable. The decision to not hold him accountable -- is par to the course. It's normal to here in Fort Worth and that does not bode well for the citizens," said Michael Bell of the Tarrant County Local Organizing Committee.

Romer has used force on the job before. Records show that in 2011, he shot and killed 32-year-old Charal Thomas.

According to records, Romer's arm was trapped in a rolled-up window as Thomas began to drive away. Romer shot and killed him.

"The question is: Why is it that he hasn't been fired?" Bell said.

This is the latest allegation of discrimination for a department that's dealt with several high profile incidents. Back in December of 2016, this video went viral. It shows a mother being arrested after she called the police, asking for help.

"I wouldn't even give credit to the system being broken. There is no system," Kirkland said.

The Fort Worth Police Department isn't commenting on the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the officer at the center of the controversy is out of jail on bail.

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