Former Cedar Hill police officer arrested, charged with official oppression
Donald Najee Mercer (Source: Ellis County Sheriff's Office)
CEDAR HILL, Texas - Criminal charges have been filed against a former Cedar Hill police officer over alleged misconduct with a female during a DWI arrest in August 2024.
The Texas Rangers filed criminal charges in Ellis County.
Donald Mercer, 33, has been charged with official oppression and turned himself in on Monday morning to the Ellis County Jail.
Mercer was under investigation for a separate incident when the city received the complaint related to the August arrest. Four days later, he resigned from the police department rather than face termination proceedings, according to Cedar Hill police officials.
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Officials say an internal investigation revealed four policy violations against Mercer, one of which was dereliction of duty to conduct unbecoming of an officer.
"The Cedar Hill Police Department prides itself on a culture of accountability," said Cedar Hill Chief of Police Ely Reyes. "In the initial case, the victim did not bring the complaint, but the conduct was uncovered during the interview process, which prompted CHPD officers to investigate proactively. We empower our people to report misconduct when they see it and that is exactly what happened in this case."
"We want to be clear that we hold our officers and department to a high standard of public service and professional conduct that is appropriate, honorable, and ethical," Chief Reyes added. "Maintaining the public’s trust and respect is of the utmost importance, as is being publicly transparent to the full extent possible without compromising any ongoing investigations or legal processes."
Official oppression is a Class A misdemeanor.
"It’s very early in the process. We are currently conducting our own, thorough investigation into the allegations," said Mercer's defense attorney Robert Huseman. "Until then, we would ask the public not to rush to judgment. Officer Mercer served this community and has devoted his life to helping others."