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At least 243 people have signed up to speak at this committee meeting, which my colleagues @jaspscherer and @dylmcguinness is covering. (I'll be following along too) https://twitter.com/HOUPublicSafety/status/1276165090501431296
Asst. Chief Jim Jones speaking now. Giving an overview of HPD. About 5,300 classified officers, noting workforce is majority-minority.
Some background from @mmorris011 in this story from 2014: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Community-leaders-call-on-HPD-to-improve-diversity-5791530.php
Some background from @mmorris011 in this story from 2014: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Community-leaders-call-on-HPD-to-improve-diversity-5791530.php
Jones, re: discipline: HPD has a very thorough discipline process.
Notes HPD receives about 1100 complaints a year, the majority are from within the department.
Notes HPD receives about 1100 complaints a year, the majority are from within the department.
Councilmember @TiffanyForAlief asking about HPD verifying psych evaluations when new cadets apply to work at the department.
Sidenote, these evaluations have also been subject of significant problems: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Agency-reviews-rules-for-psych-evaluations-of-6613927.php
Sidenote, these evaluations have also been subject of significant problems: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Agency-reviews-rules-for-psych-evaluations-of-6613927.php
(In a subsequent investigation we found that thousands of peace officers in Harris County received essentially rubber-stamped evaluations.) https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fit-for-duty-Thousands-of-law-enforcement-7421829.php
Councilmember Shabazz says she has a "major concern" that when teachers are reprimanded they lose their license, but police officers can keep their license after disciplines and "taking their show on the road"
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In Harris County, a deputy constable was sentenced to 20 years in jail after shooting another driver in a road-rage incident.
He had been fired from at least 15 jobs before becoming a peace officer. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Former-deputy-constable-wasn-t-fit-to-serve-7876215.php
He had been fired from at least 15 jobs before becoming a peace officer. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Former-deputy-constable-wasn-t-fit-to-serve-7876215.php
I'm a few minutes behind, but Chief @TroyFinner just said he is "so glad" to see the department putting information about policies and procedures out to the public.
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Getting that sort of information in the past has been a huge battle.
Only this week did HPD release an unredacted copy of its use-of-force policy. Previously, we had to get that info by-hook-or-crook from sources. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-police-release-new-use-of-force-policy-15364655.php
Only this week did HPD release an unredacted copy of its use-of-force policy. Previously, we had to get that info by-hook-or-crook from sources. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-police-release-new-use-of-force-policy-15364655.php
RE: Controversy about bodycams, Finner is repeating an argument from @ArtAcevedo wishing lawmakers would make a statewide rule on such releases. Also referencing trying to respect wishes of family. That has not gone over well with activists: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Acevedo-pushes-transparency-and-reform-on-15317596.php
HPD Asst. Chief Heather Morris giving an overview of incidents where police officers shoot or kill people.
This year, police have shot people 15 times.
https://www.houstontx.gov/police/ois/
This year, police have shot people 15 times.
https://www.houstontx.gov/police/ois/
Historically, these shootings are virtually never ruled unjustified, Chronicle investigations have shown.
From an investigation by my former colleague, Jim Pinkerton: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/investigations/item/Bulletproof-Part-1-Unarmed-and-Dangerous-24419.php
From an investigation by my former colleague, Jim Pinkerton: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/investigations/item/Bulletproof-Part-1-Unarmed-and-Dangerous-24419.php
A 2015 shooting led to an officer being charged and surrendered his TCOLE license, Morris said.
(And of course Gerald Goines was charged with murder after the Harding Street raid last year.)
But virtually all officers who shoot people are no-billed.
(And of course Gerald Goines was charged with murder after the Harding Street raid last year.)
But virtually all officers who shoot people are no-billed.
Independent Police Oversight Board Prez Marvin Hamilton discussing the review board.
Critics -- including members of the board -- say it is a toothless organization: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Critics-say-Houston-needs-more-robust-civilian-15338422.php
Critics -- including members of the board -- say it is a toothless organization: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Critics-say-Houston-needs-more-robust-civilian-15338422.php
Alexander Johnson, board member, points this out, saying the IPOB is a review board, not an investigative board.
Said goal is to hold officers to "highest standards" professionalism and maintain dignity of every citizen that is encountered.
Said goal is to hold officers to "highest standards" professionalism and maintain dignity of every citizen that is encountered.
Johnson said IPOB members have had significant impact, such as pushing for policies that led department to require officers to wear bodycams at extra jobs at clubs.
@PollardforHTX asks Hamilton if IPOB reviews complaints from officers against other officers regarding using excessive force.
After several circuitous minutes of confusion, Hamilton says yes.
After several circuitous minutes of confusion, Hamilton says yes.
@PollardforHTX asks how IPOB could be stronger/ more effective.
Hamilton: "I don't think I can answer that without putting a lot of thought into it and you don't have time for me to really think about it."
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Hamilton: "I don't think I can answer that without putting a lot of thought into it and you don't have time for me to really think about it."
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This is a surprising response, and one that, frankly, strains credulity. Hamilton has been involved with IPOB *since 2012*
How many years, exactly, would you need to suss out shortcomings in your organization or ways it could be improved?
https://houston.granicus.com/boards/w/b44c131b5903a652/members/604074
How many years, exactly, would you need to suss out shortcomings in your organization or ways it could be improved?
https://houston.granicus.com/boards/w/b44c131b5903a652/members/604074
Asked whether the IPOB receives all the information it needs, Hamilton says yes.
@AbbieKamin asks if there's ever instances where they can't get info.
"Mo, ma'am."
That directly contradicts what other boardmembers told me and @jaspscherer in our story. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Critics-say-Houston-needs-more-robust-civilian-15338422.php
@AbbieKamin asks if there's ever instances where they can't get info.
"Mo, ma'am."
That directly contradicts what other boardmembers told me and @jaspscherer in our story. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Critics-say-Houston-needs-more-robust-civilian-15338422.php
Pollard: Do you provide your findings to public?
Hamilton: No sir
Pollard: So there's no way in which the public has any insight on your findings?
Hamilton: No sir.
Hamilton: No sir
Pollard: So there's no way in which the public has any insight on your findings?
Hamilton: No sir.
Then @TiffanyForAlief asks Hamilton what would happen if citizens approached him with concerns. He says he would redirect to substations or to internal affairs.
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@TiffanyForAlief : Would you believe its fair for IPOB to receive complaints and investigate on behalf of citizens of Houston.
Hamilton: I'm not sure about that, not being a trained investigator, I might miss some critical points.
Hamilton: I'm not sure about that, not being a trained investigator, I might miss some critical points.
Then @jerryvdavis presses Hamilton on ways IPOB could be strengthened. Asks him to get it done within a week.
"There are hundreds of thousands of people who would like to hear from you," he said.
"There are hundreds of thousands of people who would like to hear from you," he said.
Former Chief Clarence Bradford, now a special prosecutor for @kimoggforda, gives an overview of how DA's Office reviews shootings. The Civil Rights Division currently has 136 open cases, he says.
Important moment: @JerryVDavis asks Bradford if IPOB should be strengthened.
"The process used back then to receive, review and dispose of police misconduct was not trusted back then, not trusted today, we must build a process that is understood and trusted by the citizens."
"The process used back then to receive, review and dispose of police misconduct was not trusted back then, not trusted today, we must build a process that is understood and trusted by the citizens."
... @tiffanyforalief asks about the frequency with which grand juries no-bill officers.
Bradford says given officer training, for the most part, those grand juries are going to find that they acted within policy and within the law.
Thomas appeared... skeptical.
Bradford says given officer training, for the most part, those grand juries are going to find that they acted within policy and within the law.
Thomas appeared... skeptical.
Shabazz asks about 48-hour-rule officers are allowed before making a statement after a shooting.
Bradford: Its a protection for peace officers here ... after trauma of a shooting, they needs time to catch their breath...before making a statement locking them into their position.
Bradford: Its a protection for peace officers here ... after trauma of a shooting, they needs time to catch their breath...before making a statement locking them into their position.
Shabazz -- that's the same stress any citizen would experience.
First speaker, Aracely Garcia calls for defunding the police, 25 percent per year, points to similar move in LA.
"The city cannot task force itself out of this."
Background on Turner's task force, via @dylmcguinness and @jaspscherer: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/Turner-announces-45-member-task-force-to-consider-15364168.php
"The city cannot task force itself out of this."
Background on Turner's task force, via @dylmcguinness and @jaspscherer: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/Turner-announces-45-member-task-force-to-consider-15364168.php
Another speaker calls on IPOB finding to be made public.
Gerry Monroe, a local firebrand, calls out city council:
"Are you afraid the mayor is going to cut the budget??"
"Are you afraid the mayor is going to cut the budget??"
Monroe suggests citizens should protest outside councilmembers homes at 3am. @AbbieKamin warned she would cut him off if he threatened violence/personal attacks.
(Protesters camped out her house the other day, urging her to wake up on police reform)
(Protesters camped out her house the other day, urging her to wake up on police reform)
Speakers bring up concerns about HPD's stats regarding traffic stops, problems with the IPOB, HPD's refusal to make public its audit of the department's narcotics division, and call for contract negotiations to be made public.
A lot of discussion has centered on officers' rights when they are accused of wrongdoing. These rights are strictly outlined in state law and union contracts.
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.143.htm
https://hpou.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-2018-MC-Draft-Prior-to-Ratification.pdf
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.143.htm
https://hpou.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-2018-MC-Draft-Prior-to-Ratification.pdf
One other thing meant to address before, Asst. Chief Jim Jones used the phrase "gypsy cop" ... which some took issue with. See here: https://twitter.com/ZOMBiEMaMiii/status/1276193011031068672?s=20
Just as a point of reference, this is a common term in policing (right or wrong) to describe cops who move to other agencies to avoid being disciplined. It gained traction in Texas after the Tulia drug arrest scandals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_cop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_cop
Speakers really are furious. There's a chorus of anger over "Mayor Turner's taskforces" and council's recent speedy vote to approve an increase in the police department's budget.
One speaker said the budget meeting two weeks ago was a "watershed moment" and warned council "history will remember you looked protesters in the eye and unanimously voted to increase the police department's budget"
Case in point: protesters already did their thing outside @AbbieKamin’s home. One activist is proposing another outside Shabazz’s
...speakers throwing F-bombs at Councilmembers left and right
Joy Davis, with the Texas Organizing Project criticizes Police treatment of protesters, calls for @ArtAcevedo to release Narcotics Audit, and says IPOB Prez Marvin Hamilton "has to go"
Background on the audit: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/HPD-chief-acevedo-goines-audit-drug-raid-deadly-15349246.php
Background on the audit: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/HPD-chief-acevedo-goines-audit-drug-raid-deadly-15349246.php
