MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - A routine traffic stop over a turn signal and dim license plate lights ended with a Montgomery County woman being arrested. Now, an unredacted sheriff's office policy obtained by KPRC 2 is raising new questions about whether the deputy followed required procedures.

40-year-old Elizabeth Kim was arrested May 21 after a Montgomery County sheriff's deputy pulled her over in Shenandoah. Body-camera video shows the deputy repeatedly ordering Kim to leave her truck from behind her vehicle instead of initially approaching the driver's window.

For nearly four minutes, the deputy can be heard calling out commands, whistling and referring to Kim as  sweetheart  before walking toward her truck.

Kim was ultimately charged with interfering with public duties and resisting arrest.

What the unredacted policy says

Following KPRC 2's initial report on Kim's arrest, we submitted a public records request to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office seeking its traffic-stop policy.

The sheriff's office provided a heavily redacted document that concealed portions detailing the procedures deputies are directed to follow during traffic stops involving minor violations.

redacted traffic stop policy (KPRC)

KPRC 2 later obtained an unredacted copy of the policy through a source and confirmed its authenticity with two law enforcement sources.

Unredacted traffic stop policy (KPRC)

The unredacted policy states:  Traffic stops will be conducted using the seven-step violator contact. 

The first step directs deputies to:  Approach the driver and identify who you are by your title and name. 

Bodycam video from Kim's traffic stop shows the deputy remained behind her truck and repeatedly ordered her to come to him. He did not initially approach the driver's window and identify himself by title and name as outlined in the policy.

Former prosecutor believes charges should be dismissed

Nathan Alsbrooks, a Montgomery County criminal defense attorney who previously worked as a county prosecutor from 2017 to 2023, reviewed the body-camera video and the unredacted policy.

 He clearly violate

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