A Texas police officer who was dismissed for disturbing behavior has quietly returned to a law enforcement job in another town.
Matthew Luckhurst, 42, was fired in 2016 after committing a shocking act involving a homeless man, and despite a history of misconduct, he was rehired by a small-town police department years later.
Fired for Disgusting Acts
In 2016, Luckhurst was fired from the San Antonio Police Department after a deeply disturbing incident came to light.
He had reportedly served a homeless man a sandwich containing dog feces, an act that caused outrage within the department and the community.
In addition, Luckhurst was accused of smearing a feces-like substance across a toilet in the women’s restroom, further adding to the controversy surrounding him.
Return to Law Enforcement Amid Controversy
Despite facing indefinite suspensions for his revolting actions, Luckhurst managed to return to law enforcement in 2019.
A legal loophole allowed him to rejoin the force after a 180-day window for discipline passed following the sandwich incident.
His return sparked concern among many, especially after an arbitration hearing in 2020, where San Antonio Police Chief William McManus condemned his actions as “vile and disgusting” and a violation of the police department’s core principles.
New Role in Benavides Police Department
However, Luckhurst’s law enforcement career didn’t end there.
He was hired in April 2023 by the Benavides Police Department, a small town in Texas.
Police Chief Andre Hines defended the decision, saying the department was committed to offering second chances to individuals looking to demonstrate their dedication to public service.
Hines emphasized that Luckhurst’s time with the department had been without incident, with no complaints or issues reported.
Background Check and Controversy
Chief Hines also pointed out that a thorough background check was conducted before Luckhurst was sworn in as a peace officer in Benavides.
Luckhurst himself has consistently denied the allegations against him, particularly the incident involving the homeless man, claiming the accusations are untrue.
Public Outrage and Previous Incident
The disturbing sandwich incident surfaced when Luckhurst boasted to a fellow officer about putting feces between slices of bread and serving it to the homeless man.
Though one officer reported the incident to internal affairs, it was later revealed that Luckhurst’s actions were deeply disturbing to his colleagues, who were appalled enough to take the matter up with supervisors.
Following the investigation and review, the decision was made to place Luckhurst on indefinite suspension.
Police Chief McManus firmly stated at the time that such behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated in the force.
The scandal shocked the community, but Luckhurst was allowed to re-enter law enforcement years later.
Ongoing Debate
While Luckhurst’s defenders argue for second chances, his past actions continue to spark debate.
Many in the community and within law enforcement have questioned the wisdom of allowing a man with such a disturbing history to return to the profession, even in a small-town setting.
As the debate continues, the question remains: should individuals like Luckhurst be allowed to resume their careers in law enforcement after committing such egregious acts?
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