Broward cop disciplined after nearly running over four children earlier this week, police say

A Coral Springs police officer narrowly avoided running over four children after he swerved onto their lawn earlier this week, video shows. That officer is now facing discipline from his department

“I am thankful that no one was injured during this incident,” Coral Springs Police Chief Bradley McKeone said in a statement. “To say that I am disappointed the officer did not check on everyone at the scene is an understatement.”

On Friday afternoon, McKeone announced the officer was issued “formal discipline” after the chief received video of the near tragedy that occurred on Wednesday. It’s unclear what “formal discipline” means and the department had not yet responded to the Herald for clarification.

Chris Swinson, a department spokesman, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the officer was issued “a reprimand because he needs to be more aware of his surroundings. It could have been an unfortunate incident.”

The officer did not stop to make sure the children were OK, the department said.

Denise Ford, mother of the four, shared on Facebook the video and recounted what happened that day.

“Unfortunately being in your own yard isn’t safe,” she wrote. “My kids [were] waiting on the bus [in] our yard when a Coral Springs police officer did this.”

The video shows a patrol car swerving out of the way of a stopped sedan and driving into Ford’s yard. Her four children — age 5, 6, 8 and 11 — can be seen running out of the way moments before impact.

Ford posted that the car the officer tried to avoid hitting was stopped for a school bus that had its flashing stop sign out as it waited for her children to board.

“[E]very car had to stop when they see a bus with [its] lights and signs out!” she wrote.

Her children were traumatized, she wrote. While “formal discipline” was invoked, Ford wants the officer fired.

“Where was his heart when my kids [were] screaming... and had to run for [their] life,” she wrote.