The city of Fort Worth authorized $1.1 million to settle a retaliation lawsuit made by a police captain alleging she was demoted from deputy chief for holding officers accountable.
Paula Conaway sued Fort Worth in 2024 stating she was harassed and humiliated by former police Chief Neil Noakes, who retired in 2025.
City Attorney Leann Guzman said that after reviewing the case the city determined settling at this time was the most effective and responsible use of public resources.
“This decision was made with careful consideration of every factor involved,” Guzman said. “The city firmly denies any liability or wrongdoing related to this matter.”
A Mayor and Council Communication file dated June 9, 2026, details the city’s settlement and payment authorization for Paula Conaway’s lawsuit.Download
In 2021, Conaway was a Fort Worth Police Department deputy chief. In February of that year, she was assigned to close an internal affairs investigation of a police officer who allegedly punched a driver in the face during a traffic stop.
After a grand jury reviewed the case and decided there was not enough evidence to formally charge the officer, FWPD had 45 days to complete the internal investigation. However, the case expired before getting to Conaway’s desk, according to the lawsuit.
Since the allotted time had expired, the highest level of discipline for the officer’s policy violations was a written reprimand, which Conaway issued.
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