safety
SafeSport hired ex-police officer whose actions led to a $24M civil verdict against her department
By EDDIE PELLS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
PARKER, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport hired a former police officer a year after she quit the force while subject of a malicious prosecution lawsuit that resulted in a $24 million verdict against her department. The case alleged that detective Shannon Brukbacher wrongfully arrested a...
Key takeaway Center for SafeSport hired a former police officer a year after she quit the force while subject of a malicious prosecution lawsuit that resulted in a $24 million verdict against her department.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The hiring of a former police officer with a controversial past by the U.S. Center for SafeSport raises questions about the organization's vetting process and its commitment to protecting athletes from abuse. In the Rio Grande Valley, where youth sports are a vibrant part of community life, the safety and well-being of young athletes are of paramount concern. As McAllen parents and coaches work to create a supportive environment for their children, the actions of organizations like SafeSport are closely watched. The fact that SafeSport hired an individual whose actions led to a $24 million verdict against her department may erode trust in the organization's ability to effectively investigate and prevent abuse. Valley residents will be watching to see how SafeSport responds to this revelation and what steps it takes to ensure that its staff are held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PARKER, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport hired a former police officer a year after she quit the force while subject of a malicious prosecution lawsuit that resulted in a $24 million verdict against her department. The case alleged that detective Shannon Brukbacher wrongfully arrested a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by EDDIE PELLS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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