Houston police officer ‘relieved of duty’ after arrest for family violence

HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was relieved of duty after being arrested for family violence, according to the Houston Police Department.

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Dra’Vaughn Smith Banks was charged with assault - continuous family violence for incidents between February and March of 2022.

His bond was posted at $20,000.

Officer Smith-Banks is accused of grabbing his ex by the neck and throwing her to the ground. As she was trying to fight back, he threw her against the wall, according to court documents.

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The fight started after the birth of their child and Smith-Banks said the couple agreed not to have anyone visit the home for the first month. But one of the his ex’s friends visited, which led to the altercation, per docs.

He was assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division and sworn in as an officer in July 2019.

The case is being investigated by the Houston Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division.