A former San Antonio police officer, fired for allegedly giving a homeless man a feces-filled sandwich, has returned to law enforcement, sparking debate about accountability in policing.
At a Glance
- Matthew Luckhurst, fired in 2016 for the alleged “poop sandwich” incident, now serves with Benavides Police Department
- Luckhurst claims the incident was a misunderstanding, stating he intended to discard the sandwich
- He faced multiple controversies, including another feces-related incident in a police restroom
- Luckhurst’s rehiring raises questions about law enforcement standards and accountability
- Benavides Police Chief defends the decision, citing thorough background checks and commitment to accountability
Controversial Past Resurfaces
The law enforcement community is grappling with the return of Matthew Luckhurst to active duty, following a series of controversial incidents that led to his dismissal from the San Antonio Police Department in 2016. Luckhurst gained notoriety for allegedly offering a sandwich containing dog feces to a homeless individual, an act that San Antonio Police Chief William McManus condemned as a “vile and disgusting act.”
While Luckhurst maintains that the incident was a misunderstanding and that he intended for the sandwich to be discarded rather than consumed, the controversy surrounding his actions has continued to follow him. It’s worth noting that the homeless individual did not consume the sandwich in question.
A Pattern of Misconduct?
Luckhurst’s professional history is further complicated by additional allegations of misconduct. In the same year as the sandwich incident, he was accused of defecating in a police department restroom and smearing a feces-like substance on a toilet seat. These incidents paint a troubling picture of his conduct while serving as a law enforcement officer.
Following his initial dismissal, Luckhurst appealed the decision in 2019, briefly returning to the San Antonio police force before being dismissed again in 2020. His subsequent employment with the Floresville Police Department in 2022 lasted only 10 months before he was once again let go.
A Controversial Return to Law Enforcement
Despite his checkered past, Luckhurst was hired by the Benavides Police Department in 2023, where he currently serves. This decision has sparked debate about the standards and accountability measures within law enforcement agencies. Benavides Police Chief Andre Hines has defended the hiring, stating that it “reflects the department’s commitment to honesty and accountability.”
Chief Hines further emphasized that Luckhurst’s performance since joining the Benavides force “has been exemplary, with no complaints or issues reported, and said “a thorough background check” helped ensure “all aspects of his history were carefully considered.”
The rehiring of an officer with such a controversial past raises important questions about the standards and practices within law enforcement agencies.
It just doesn’t seem right, does it?