Fort Worth Police Department Acknowledges Officer's Inaccurate Statements During Pride Event Incident

The Fort Worth Police Department stated that an officer made inaccurate remarks during an encounter with a Christian street preacher at the Trinity Pride Fest on June 27. The department clarified that the citation issued to the preacher was due to alleged violations of the city's noise ordinance related to the use of a bullhorn, not the content of the preacher's speech. Officers responded to complaints from nearby business owners about the amplified sound disrupting their operations. After being warned about the noise violation, the preacher continued using the bullhorn and received a disorderly conduct citation. A spokesperson for the police department emphasized the importance of First Amendment rights and noted that the incident would lead to refresher training for officers on related legal issues. The department acknowledged that the officer's statements during the incident were not accurate and committed to improving procedures to protect constitutional rights while ensuring public safety.