DALLAS — An investigation into four Dallas police officers is on hold after an incident where they laughed at a disabled veteran when he called for help.
The complaint was filed eight months ago. Body camera footage from June 2023 shows the officers joking about Dynell Lane soiling himself while at Serious Pizza in Deep Ellum. The video was played before the Community Police Oversight Board on Aug. 8, when Lane spoke.
He told the board he was an Army sergeant who sustained life-threatening injuries to his lower extremities. Lane stated he had to be removed from combat and underwent surgeries that left him with a disability requiring potential emergency use of a restroom.
Per the complaint, Lane tried to use the restroom at Serious Pizza when he was prohibited by two off-duty officers who were working security.
When Lane was denied, he called 911 for help, and ended up urinating himself.
When two on-duty officers arrived at Serious Pizza, video shows the four uniformed officers making light of the situation.
Under Ally's Law in Texas, people with certain medical conditions can be allowed access to restrooms that aren't public if they can show they have a medical disability.
Lane said none of the officers checked his identification or medical documents.
On Tuesday night's Community Police Oversight Board meeting, a memo written by Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia was read. It states, in part, "Unfortunately, the investigation is currently on hold due to circumstances beyond my control. An officer involved in the investigation is currently on leave due to Family Medical Leave Act, FMLA. As a result, there is a temporary delay in the progression of this investigation."
Many board members were upset by the memo, even apologizing to Lane for the trauma this situation has caused. They described the drawn-out investigation as unacceptable.
The board unanimously voted to write a letter to the city manager, including the city council and police chief, to demand more action be taken and to move the investigation forward.
Lane told WFAA he was expecting more from Tuesday night's meeting, and he is frustrated that the investigation is being put off.
WFAA reached out to DPD for a comment.