Officers S. Jordan and P. Flores-Ramirez had been dispatched to a disturbance with possible weapons, CIT.

While en route to the scene the officers received updated information that the suspect, was armed with a gun.  The officers entered the parking lot of the apartment unit and found their way to building 3.  Once they turned the corner to see the front of building 3, they observed a male standing in the parking lot with a pistol in his hand.

This individual was standing next to a PT Cruiser which matched the info on the initial call slip.

The officers exited the patrol car with the passenger (Jordan) moving to his right taking cover behind a parked car and the driver (Ramirez) initially taking cover behind the open driver door then moving to the rear of the patrol vehicle.

Officer Jordan announced the police presence and told the male to drop the gun.  The male’s response was to fire a round toward the apartment building he was facing.  He appeared to be yelling something to persons outside of one of the apartments.

Once the male noticed the police presence, he shifted his attention to the officers, turned in their direction and started walking toward their position.  The male fired a round at the officers.

Over the next several seconds both officers fired and the male fired again at the officers.  The officers fired a total of nine rounds. Once back-up units arrived, the officers approached the suspect on the ground.  Once at the suspect, the officers moved the pistol away from the male. The male was then treated on the scene and transported to LBJ hospital for treatment.

Both Officers work out of Northeast Patrol and Officer Jordan was training Officer Ramirez at the time of the incident. Officer Jordan’s pistol jammed during the incident and Officer Ramirez was able to engage the suspect while Jordan cleared his pistol and was able to return fire as well.

Officer Jordan was able to attend the May general membership meeting to accept the award. Ramirez was on assignment and not present.

The post HPOU honors Jordan and Flores-Ramirez as Patrol Officers of the Month appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

HPOU presented Detective Wesley Jones with Investigator of the Month honors at the May general membership meeting.

Several months ago Detective Jones became aware of a suspect that was involved in a possible human trafficking operation. Although not all the details can be provided because the case is pending trial, the suspect has ultimately been accused of trafficking multiple women, some underaged, and forcing them to engage in his prostitution enterprise.

Jones worked tirelessly to track down and interview complaints that had been victims of the suspect’s unprecedented violence and control.  This included physically assaults on a regular basis in order to establish dominance and to gain their compliance with his criminal enterprise.

The detective utilized numerous investigative techniques in both his undercover capacity as well as behind the desk to identify and locate victims, evidence, and the suspect. As a result of this incredible work the District Attorney’s office was able to file “continuous trafficking of persons” and is seeking a life sentence for the suspect. Continuous trafficking of a person is when a person by force fraud or coercion causes another to engage in sexual conduct on two or more occasions during a period of 30 days or longer.

It carries a penalty of 25 to life. The physical abuse and exploitation went on for years before and would likely have continued but for Detective Jones’ investigation. The DA’s office has said publicly that this case is historic because it is the first time that the charge has been filed in Harris County. Jones’ continued efforts culminating in the identification of victims and the arrest of the trafficker serve as a model for long-term human trafficking investigations.

Detective Jones’ investigation also resolved other related cases, including an FSGI. It should also be noted that during his months long investigation, Jones served as a valuable resource to other investigators and helped with their cases, including a human trafficking case stemming from Arizona as well as a capital murder case that took investigators to Louisiana.

Detective Jones’ initiative, tenacity, and his continued dedication to human trafficking undoubtedly qualifies him to be recognized as Investigator of the Month.

The post Union honors Detective Wesley Jones as Investigator of the Month appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

QUITE OFTEN THOSE HARD-WORKING UNSUNG HEROES go about humbly doing their work for the good guys of the world without seeking or caring about recognition.

For years now the executive director of the Houston Police Foundation has steadfastly followed the Foundation’s ethic, always walking the walk without blaring out the talk about her role in the entire operation.

Indeed, Charlene Floyd exudes that ethic: “We work together under one common passion to support Houston’s continued growth as a safe city that is good for people, good for business, and good for life.” 

Or, as HPOU President Ray Hunt pointed out in the June general membership meeting: “Charlene works hard for the Houston Police Department and its officers and she never says NO!”

Hunt then presented an HPOU watch to the dedicated executive director of the private, non-profit Foundation that provides financial resources for special needs not provided for in the always-tight city budget.

Thanks, Charlene! We appreciate your loyalty and dedication to the HPD officers and staff who are better able to keep our city safe.

The post Thanks, Charlene for saying YES! appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

DAN PATRICK THE OLD TELEVISION SPORTS CASTER obviously learned a lot about carrying the ball and scoring points for the good guys.

HPOU President Ray Hunt and Executive Director Mark Clark sang the loud praises of the Texas lieutenant governor for his unwavering support for all policing issues in this year’s Legislature, especially the crucial police pension bill passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The pension bill was not the only hard drive to pay dirt to help police, as both Hunt and Clark pointed out. Patrick saw to it that a change in survivor benefits for the spouses of officers killed in the line of duty don’t expire if that spouse gets remarried.

By far the most important aspect of Patrick’s relationship with the HPOU and Houston police officers was his undivided attention and ready accessibility that made the difficult job tackled by Hunt and Clark much easier in an always harried Austin environment.

Thanks, Lt. Gov. Dan. We will not forget your hard work and dedication to our cause and commitment!

The post Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stood as a solid rock of Capitol Granite for HPOU and all Houston Police Officers appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Officer Eric Bertrand

From April 2016 to January 2017, Officer Eric Bertrand has run a total of 1021 calls for service, made 265 offense reports, 17 felony arrests; and 14 misdemeanor arrests. Some of Officer Bertrand’s accomplishments include, seizing 219.5 grams of Xanax, 118 grams of marihuana, 9.03 grams of cocaine, 7.6 grams of ecstasy, $900 in cash, and several guns, including a gun that was reported stolen.

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Kristin Uhlin

SPO Kristin Uhlin serves as the lead Narcotics Canine Instructor. She works with the Houston Forensic Science Center controlled substances section locating and securing narcotic training aids to be used for the Canine Detail and is also responsible for the selection of new Narcotic Canines. SPO Uhlin teaches the basic 160 hour T.C.O.L.E. Certified Narcotic Detection School for handlers and their new canine partners as well as being tasked with the weekly Narcotic Canine Training for all the department’s canines as well as those from outside agencies training with HPD.

FTO OF THE YEAR – Officer Amir Nikooie

Officer Amir Nikooie consistently performs the duties required of a Field Training Officer at a level well beyond the most seasoned officer of the department. He has the patience and due diligence to train new probationary officers who have arrived at their first assignment with an elevated stress levels and little experience. Officer Nikooie has the ability to teach probationary police officers the skills they need to develop into skilled veteran officers. Officer Nikooie has that valuable ability to bring the best out of people and is without a doubt a precious commodity to the Field Training Program.

1^st PATROL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Jason Rhodes

While on routine patrol, Officer Jason Rhodes observed two suspicions males he believed to be preparing to commit a robbery. Officer Rhodes notified dispatch and approached the suspects. Upon seeing Officer Rhodes, the suspects fled on foot headed in different directions. He pursued one suspect into a nearby field, where the suspect turned to face him and began shooting. Officer Rhodes dropped to the ground, rolling to make himself a more difficult target. In spite of being hit in the arm, Officer Rhodes drew his weapon and returned fire. Although Officer Rhodes lost sight of the suspects, he was able to establish a perimeter to contain the suspects who were later apprehended by responding units.

2^nd PATROL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Gerald Makey

Officer Gerald Makey has been an officer for over three and a half years. In 2016 he made 113 arrests including 20 felonies, 19 misdemeanors and filed 31 charges while responding to 585 calls for service as the primary unit and backing up his fellow officers as a secondary unit 106 times. Officer Makey responded to a call involving a military veteran in crisis who was threatening suicide with a knife. The veteran refused commands to drop the knife forcing Officer Makey to deploy his taser which allowed him to take the man into custody for treatment.

PATROL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Kristi Barnes

Sergeant Kristi Barnes consistently exhibits exceptional leadership in her assignment as a Greenspoint sergeant. On multiple occasions she has demonstrated that she excels in team building and developing her subordinates. She has demonstrated, and her officers recognize, that she has a complete knowledge of not just her job, but their job as well. She doesn’t just supervise her officers, she works side-by-side with them, providing guidance and leadership when needed and taking command of scenes as required.

CIVILIAN SUPPORT SERVICES EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Senior Police

Telecommunicator Karla Vaughan

The North Division Tactical Unit was working on an operation and requested Senior Police Telecommunicator Karla Vaughan as their dispatcher because of her professionalism, trustworthiness, meticulousness, accuracy and her ability to monitor and document two channels at once.  At the end of the operation, five suspects were arrested on multiple counts of capital murder. Vaughan’s call slip was a thorough and accurate document of the events. Her drive to be there for the officers’ safety is unsurpassed.

TACTICAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Christopher Levrier

Officer Christopher Levrier has led his squad in arrests, number of gang members documented, and the seizure of guns, money and narcotics. His abilities as a tactical officer were instrumental in the arrests of three MS-13 gang members in a high profile murder. Officer Levrier stopped a suspected MS-13 Gang Member and detected a strong odor of marijuana.  It was determined this was the same vehicle captured on video surveillance used in the aforementioned murder. While being interviewed, the suspects provided the name of a third suspect. All three were charged with murder.

UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Ariel Ferrer

Throughout 2016, Officer Ariel Ferrer has been conducting a complex long term undercover investigation into high ranking officials and cartel affiliates utilizing the Houston metro area as a narco-trafficking corridor with tentacles reaching throughout the United States. To date, Officer Ferrer’s undercover efforts have led to three wire investigations, three telephonic pen registers, seven telephonic ping orders, the arrest of 16 individuals, the seizure of over $180,000 in US currency, three firearms, five vehicles, and 80 kilograms of cocaine.

SPECIALIZED OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Donald Egdorf

Officer Donald Egdorf serves as liaison to government and private entities that are necessary to Task Force operations. He is the lead instructor for all DWI related training for the department,  teaching cadets and officers about DWI enforcement and the correct application of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He is an instructor for the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association and teaches their DWI related classes to prosecutors and officers. He is the department liaison to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and works with their Vehicular Crimes Section. Officer Egdorf provides expert testimony in DWI and vehicle death cases and completes follow-up investigations at their request. He wrote, produced and helped film Driving Wet Lab which was designed to show the effects of alcohol and driving. The video is an invaluable tool for DWI education in the criminal justice arena.

CIT OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Kyndall Griffin

Officer Kyndall Griffin had only been an officer for two years when he transferred to the Mental Health Division. In a ten month period, he responded to 565 calls for service, 80 on-view incidents, 10 jail assessments, 39 Harris Center referrals and executed over 140 emergency detention orders. His aptitude for the job was demonstrated when he was sent to assess a woman burning books inside her mother’s home, putting everyone inside in danger. Officer Griffin decided to file an emergency detention order and, using a calm voice, alerted the woman of the actions he was going to take as he approached her. Officer Griffin was able to handcuff and transport the woman to the Neuropsychiatric Center without incident.  

DRT/CSO OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Dennis Domagas

As a DRT officer, in 2016 Dennis Domagas completed 641 DRT investigations, inspected 31 convenience stores and 17 massage establishments, conducted 695 crime initiatives, completed 286 offense reports and 23 accident reports. Because of his expertise in massage establishment inspections, he was selected to assist in a citywide DRT effort to inspect all massage establishments in the city of Houston. He teamed up with two officers on a self-initiated project to identify illicit massage establishments in the Midwest jurisdiction. They conducted 50 inspections at 41 locations and assisted in 10 human trafficking operations, resulting in 176 citations, 30 arrests, 6 suspects accepted in the Prostitution Deferral Program, and the closing of 5 illicit businesses.

SENIOR POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Shane Borak

Officer Shane Borak is relentless in apprehending suspects involved in major crimes in the Northwest area. He knows the majority of these individuals by sight and name. In the last year, Officer Borak was responsible for 63 Felony and 68 misdemeanor arrests. In the past year Officer Borak was responsible for removing large amounts of illegal drugs from the streets, provided updated information on numerous gang members and arrested and charged 29 of them with Aggravated Robbery, Felony Assaults, Auto Theft/UUMV, various drug offenses and various weapons violations.

PROACTIVE INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer Tien Nguyen

Officer Tien Nguyen is assigned to the Houston Money Laundering Initiative task force whose mission is to dismantle and disrupt money laundering organizations. In addition, Officer Nguyen enthusiastically conducts his own narcotics investigations which have resulted in large seizures of narcotics. Over the past 10 months, Officer Nguyen has initiated numerous investigations involving the illicit sale of heroin in the city of Houston. He exhibits a very strong work ethic and a passion for enforcing narcotic laws and protecting our community. Officer Nguyen maintains a high degree of rapport with fellow narcotics officers; HPD patrol, tactical and gang officers; federal agents; state and federal prosecutors and deputies of surrounding counties.

REACTIVE INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR Senior Police Officer Ricardo Johns

In 2016, Adult Sex Crimes Unit Crime Analysts reported a possible serial rapist based on the similar MOs, suspect and vehicle descriptions. Officer Ricardo Johns was assigned three cases believed to be related. In these cases, a suspect driving a red car picked up the victims, drove them to a residence, sexually assaulted them, then dropped them off at a different location. Relentless investigation provided him a partial license plate and suspect description. Officer Johns created a crime bulletin which was used to locate and identify the suspect. A photo lineup was presented to a victim who positively identified him. Ultimately six cases were linked to this suspect. He was charged with three Aggravated Sexual Assault charges.

PARTNERS OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Officer David Nieto and Senior Police Officer Michael Douglas

Officers David Nieto and Michael Douglas are assigned to the Vice Division Human Trafficking Unit and to the FBI Innocence Lost Task Force. Their mission is to investigate persons who are involved in the sex trafficking of minors and recover the victims, ensuring their safety so they can receive the services they need for rehabilitation. Officers Douglas and Nieto face numerous challenges investigating these types of cases, which are often very disturbing. They must demonstrate the utmost skill, patience, perseverance and tactfulness. Recovering these victims involves undercover work that is inherently dangerous as many of the traffickers are violent felons. In addition, they both serve as human trafficking expert witnesses and provide domestic juvenile sex trafficking trainings to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

INVESTIGATIVE SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Ada Cruz

During an investigation, Sergeant Ada Cruz noticed a large number of complaints from citizens alleging that a storage facility and body shop was engaged in fraud. For countless years these suspects had taken advantage of customers by deceiving them into signing documents that not only obligated them to thousands of dollars in unnecessary charges, but also gave the business Power of Attorney to sign additional documents and insurance checks on their behalf. After a lengthy investigation, five suspects were arrested for Engaging in Organized Crime-Securing the Execution of Documents through Deception.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Police Officer Chanh Dau

The Auto Dealers Detail is responsible for licensing and regulating the automotive industry for the city of Houston. The Detail licenses approximately 8,000 businesses. The Detail was tasked with building and implementing a new system for licensing, inspecting and the auctioning of abandoned vehicles. Officer  Chanh Dau began with a systematic hands-on approach. He took inventory of all of the processes and computer programs utilized by the Detail, he worked hand-in-hand with the project team at Technology Services and recruited supervisors, officers, and civilians in order to provide a historical and logistical perspective to the project. With the new systems, Auto Dealers will be able to automate several of the previous labor intensive, manual processes.

CIVILIAN TECHNICAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Web Designer Juan Garza

Web Designer Juan Garza shares the responsibility of posting the HPD News Releases to the department’s website as soon as possible as well as posting the UCR Crime Statistics. He assisted with the creation of the Officer Involved Shooting page for the website and updates the page as soon as Homicide can provide the information. He shares his graphic design skills with various commands/division throughout the department. Mr. Garza set up the Body Worn Camera Page, assisted with the new design for HPD Annual Report, created artwork for the Turn Around Don’t Drown, Badges and Bears, Comida Food Drive Banners and Town Hall Posters.

CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATIVE /PARA-PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Customer Service Cashier Maricela Puentes

The Auto Dealers Detail is responsible for licensing and regulating the automotive industry for the city of Houston. In 2016 the detail licensed approximately 8,000 businesses and processed over 10,000 license transactions. A detail was tasked with building and implementing a new licensing application. Customer Service Cashier Maricela Puentes played a big role in the success of its implementation. Ms. Puentes worked hand in hand with programmers to define all the processes required to perform the license function. Ms. Puentes spent hours testing the program to identify problems and suggestions to improve its efficiency.

CIVILIAN PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Staff Analyst Carla Manuel

Vice Division Staff Analyst Carla Manuel has the ability to foresee future need and develop courses of actions to solve complex divisional problems. She and Captain Dan Harris were instrumental in creating a strategy to disrupt a prostitution problem on Bissonnet. Since September 2016 Vice arrested over 260 sex buyers and seller, yielding over 280 charges. Ms. Manuel started Vice Division’s first open source intelligence training program. In January 2016, she brought to Houston Open Source Intelligence Instructor Michael Bazzell. Almost 300 personnel from HPD, agents and investigators from federal, state and local agencies trained on Mr. Bazzell’s tactics.

CIVILIAN SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Evidence Technician Supervisor Kerry Palmer

Evidence Technician Supervisor Kerry Palmer has served the department for 27 years in a variety of positions in the Property Division. He has tremendous knowledge and skills in all facets of evidence and property intake, storage, release and disposition. Maintaining accountability of all evidentiary items and found property under the control of the HPD is the primary function of the division which worked very hard to earn and retain the coveted ISO 9001:2008 certification for outstanding customer service. Mr. Palmer’s efforts were instrumental in achieving this goal.

ADMINISTRATIVE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Leaot Villarreal

Sergeant Leaot Villarreal is assigned to the Transfers, Allocations, and Promotions Unit with the responsibility for all transfers and promotions within the department. As the resident expert on all the intricate details involved in the process, Sergeant Villarreal’s expertise is relied on by HPD managers to ensure the procedure is administered fairly and within policy. She handles all issues with the utmost professionalism, care, honesty, and does her very best to achieve a positive resolution which benefits both the officers and the department.

MID-MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Lieutenant Michelle Chavez

Lieutenant Michelle Chavez serves in Special Operation Division as the Administrative Lieutenant as well as leading the Special Events and Catastrophic Planning Units. Special Operations is responsible for the planning and management of major events in the city of Houston. This responsibility can be daunting as the successful planning, coordination, and management of some of the events can take months or even years and requires the participation of hundreds of personnel from HPD and outside organizations. For Super Bowl 51 she was instrumental in planning the posting of personnel around the ten day Super Bowl Live celebration and the NFLX event both in and around the George R. Brown and NRG Stadium for the Super Bowl game. Her guidance, leadership, attention to detail, and care for personnel and the department are invaluable.

CIVILIAN MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Police Administrator Francisco Rodriguez

Police Administrator Francisco Rodriguez’ is assigned to Budget and Finance and is responsible for managing high risk procurements, reconciling financials for day-to-day transactions and serving as lead negotiator for purchase contracts. Mr. Rodriguez took the initiative in 2016 to begin a leadership training program for his staff and set aside monthly two hour sessions to personally teach the class. As the training sessions progressed, other units in Budget and Finance and employees from other divisions participated. Mr. Rodriguez’ mentorship has proven successful with his staff and other members of the department.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Assistant Chief Wendy Baimbridge

In 2016 Captain Wendy Baimbridge was assigned to the Mental Health Division and formulated a plan to add two new programs to the division. She began with the Crisis Call Diversion program, focusing her attention on the number of calls officers were receiving that needed handling by a mental health expert. They identified approximately 9,000 non-emergency mental health related calls and developed a plan to place crisis hotline personnel in the Houston Emergency Center to take these calls rather than dispatching a patrol unit. After Captain Baimbridge became aware of the increase of older adults and the pervasive crimes against them, she and SPO Doug Anders began planning for the Senior Justice Assessment Center. The purpose of the program is to prevent and combat the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of at-risk older adults in our community.

1^st Lifetime Achievement Award

RECENTLY RETIRED EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CHIEF GEORGE BUENIK

Executive Assistant Chief George Buenik proudly served the Houston Police Department over 34 years before retiring in March of 2017. While commander of Central Patrol Division, he received a Chief of Police Commendation for developing a strategy to deal with aggravated assaults against members of the gay community.  After transferring to Juvenile Division he coordinated the implementation of the Technology to Recover Abducted Kids (TRAK) flyer system as well as developing and co-authoring the Houston Regional Amber Alert Plan. While captain of the Special Operations Division he planned and organized police services for all major events including the 2004 Super Bowl. He was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2004 and was promoted to Executive Assistant Chief in 2014. Chief Buenik was designated Chairman of the 2017 Houston Super Bowl Public Safety Committee with responsibility for planning, developing and coordinating all local, state and federal resources for police and security operations for Super Bowl 51.

2^nd Lifetime Achievement Award

RECENTLY RETIRED OFFICER JAIME GIRALDO

Officer Jaime Giraldo began his career in 1990. While assigned to the Marshal Division he participated in the multi-agency task force during city wide warrant round ups. He was a member of the Honor Guard representing the city at special events. He also joined the Special Response Group and became a member of the Crowd Disbursement Team “Hard Team” and became an instructor within the unit. He trained new SRG and Hard Team members in chemical munitions, crowd disbursement and techniques and material related to their mission. Officer Giraldo’s dedication and devotion to the citizens of Houston led him to the Mental Health Division, working with the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). Toward the end of his career, Officer Giraldo helped develop a HOT Team Homeless Identification letter that has helped hundreds of people get off the streets.

3^rd Lifetime Achievement Award

OFFICER DAVID WHILHITE

Officer David Wilhite joined the Houston Police Department in 1980, working mandatory rotations in the Traffic/Accident and Jail Divisions. He worked Traffic/Accident Division for 10 years then transferred to SWAT where he served as an assault team member, a sniper and an armorer. In 1997, he transferred to the Special Operations Division SRG where he was instrumental in developing training principals that are still followed today. Officer Wilhite remains involved in training, providing logistical assistance. In 2000, he transferred back to the Tactical Operations Division, Bomb Squad. He completed the United States Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Hazardous Devices School. Officer Wilhite’s willingness to share his knowledge and mentor all first responders is remarkable. His desire is to train and educate others so they can improve their safety, knowledge and abilities with the final results being they go home safe and sound.

The post Narratives for each Honoree at the HPD Police Week Awards Ceremony appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

For more information on the Religiosity Effects on Peace Officer Perceptions of Seriousness of Police Misconduct survey, download the Informed Consent document. Click the link below to go to the survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TyksinskiDoctoralResearchStudy

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The Houston Police Officer’s Union is once again proud to sponsor Houston’s 911 Heroes Run. As you know, our city has embraced this event as the signature event for 9/11 ceremonies and this will be the 7th year that Houston hosts this honored venue, which honors and remembers our victims of 9/11 and the wars since. We are excited to announce that the race and venue will be held downtown at City Hall, and we expect our attendance to be in the thousands.

If you would like to be part of this incredible event please visit their website at:

http://www.travismanion.org/tmf_911…/houston-911-heroes-run/

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We are excited to announce that after the exclusive screening of the movie “Fallen” right here in Houston, the movie is now available for pre order on iTunes. Please help support this wonderful project and buy your copy today!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/fallen/id1259008810

The post Fallen Now Available on iTunes appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

OPENING

Ray Hunt called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, and then a prayer by Bishop Corey Davis.

MEETING DEDICATION

Joe Gamaldi then read the meeting dedication for Officer Howard Hammond who was killed in the line of Duty in 1946.

GUESTS:

Ray introduced newly elected Jeff Wagner who is now the Mayor of Pasadena Texas. Jeff is a former HPOU Board member and retired Houston Police Officer. Wagner then addressed the membership and thanked the membership for the HPOU’s support.

Ray then pointed out City Councilmen Greg Travis and thanked him for his support of the Police Department. Ray then advised that Councilmen Travis had additional monies in his budget left over and purchased 200 tactical vests for the Houston Police Department.

Ray then introduced Bill Fife and HPD retiree George Rodriguez to give out some weapons for the essay contest for Cadets. Wendy Caldwell from class 226 and Officers Thompson and Reed from Cadet Class 230 were presented with the guns they had chosen.

Ray then took a moment for a special presentation. Zach Randolph, who was the young man who worked for the Great American Cookie Company, was in attendance. Zach purchased a cookie for a police officer and was suspended by his manager. The HPOU played the media clip detailing the story and presented Zach a gift card to show appreciation. Zach Randolph received a standing ovation by the membership in attendance.

PATROL OF THE MONTH

Ray then advised the membership that Officer Brent Purser from Central Division (July Officer of the Month), and Officers Robert Montalvo and Will Smith were this months Officer of the month and were presented the award Luis Mendez-Sierra.

INVESTIGATOR OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Ray also advised the Membership that Detective Kamesha Baker would be the investigator of the month, and Captain Angelo presented the award.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Ray informed all in attendance that the treasurer’s report was on the tables and asked if there were any questions. Ray then advised the membership that if they had any questions to contact Tim Butler and he would assist them.

Reminders that the minutes are at HPOU.org

COMMUNICATIONS

Ray the addressed the membership in regards to the Pension Bonds. Ray advised that he was hopeful that the bonds would receive the voter approval and HPOPS would get the payment that was part of the negotiations. Ray advised that is for some reason the voters did not approve the bonds and the HPOPS did not receive the monies by March 31, 2018, then the Pension agreement would end and the pension benefits would return to what they were previous.

Ray then advised that in the Special session of the Texas Legislature was now under way. Ray advised the only bill that cause the HPOU some concern was the Union Dues Check Off Bill. Ray stated that at this time Police and Fire were excluded from the bill.

Ray then introduced Dan Levine who was recently appointed to Board Position 20, and then advised the membership that Don Egdorf who promoted the Sgt. is now in Position 19 filling a vacancy created by the retirement of John Yencha.

Ray then addressed the Membership in regards to the DA’s office. Ray advised there was a question in regards to Agg Robbery cases getting deferred. Ray advised he contacted Ogg who advised she would be looking into this and would see what is being done. Ray advised that the HPOU has a good relationship with Ogg and she continues to work to fix issues that are brought to her attention.

Ray advised the membership that the HPOU elections were up coming. Ray advised the positions of President, Secretary, Third Vice President and odd numbered positions were up for election. Ray advised anyone interested in running could sign up starting September 1^st at 0800, with the sign up ending October 5^th at 1000.

Ray then advised the Membership of the need of Chiropractic treatment for HPD officers. He advised that $65 per visit is too expensive and officers are not paying this and not going. He believed that if the cost was cheaper, officer could go and seek the necessary treatment and maybe avoid costly insurance claims in prescription’s and surgeries. Ray advised Deloach Chiropractic centers would offer officer discounted rates. Ray advised it was the $65 initial visit then $45 for each additional.

Ray reminded the Membership that if you have a body camera to TURN THEM ON.

Ray then pointed out Roy McDonald the President of the HPROA and advised he was offering discounted handgun classes.

Ray reminded Officers who pass the Physical Agility test who were hired prior to 03-30-2011 you get $800, and hired after that date get 40 hours of PD time.

Ray advised the Membership that the Cookout at Northeast was success and the next one would be on Thursday August 31at Southwest.

Ray then advised the membership that when handling any type of narcotics to use latex gloves!!! Ray stated if any station did not have or could not get any gloves to contact the HPOU.

Ray then wanted to thank Alan Rosen, Captain Guinn shaver and her crew for all their efforts on July 7^th. Ray also wanted to thank Gary Hicks for his assistance as well Ray made a special note to thank Gary for his continued support of the HPOU and the taking of pictures. Ray then presented Gary a gift card for his support.

Ray then advised the membership of the TAFR Casino night, which would be Saturday August 19^th from 1600-2000. Any member wishing to attend was welcome to do so.

Ray then mentioned Fuzzy’s Pizza on S. Mason in Katy. Ray encouraged the membership if they were in the area and wanted pizza to go by their location.

Ray then reminded the membership that there were stuffed animals on the stage for patrol officers to take to give out to kids on scenes. Ray encouraged Officers to takes these and pass them out.

REMINDERS

Ray reminded the membership to utilize the Doctors Council of Texas if there injured in the line of duty. Ray advised this would save a lot of headaches in the future dealing with workers compensation.

Ray spoke on the First Responder Peer Support and advised it is still being held on Monday and Thursdays.

Ray reminded to the membership that you can still fill prescriptions at the HEB, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Sam’s or Kelsey but NOT Target. Target and CVS have been removed from the approved locations to get medication filled.

Ray reminded the Officers at the meeting to get and use the new HPOU app for their smartphones, both Apple and Google. Ray stated that this is the quickest way for the HPOU to push out notifications to the membership.

Ray then reminded the membership if they were in the market for a home loan or refinancing to use Mickey Keys with Fairway mortgage. With every closed loan, Mickey makes a donation to the Assist the Officer Foundation.

Ray then advised the membership if they needed a Realtor to use Michael Bedner who advertises in the Badge and Gun.

Ray advised the membership that HOPA the Peer support group is live 832-200-3499 and that if any Officer was in need of assistance or knew of an Officer who needed help, to please call for assistance. Ray mentioned to the membership that there have been 3 suicides this year.

Ray advised the membership that there are guns for purchase from Tim Butler. Tim has AR-15s in stock, which will be sold at cost.

Ray then told the members to remember to KEEP YOUR FIELD NOTES! Ray advised we would address this in the legislature but for now officers need to keep them.

Ray Hunt reminded everyone to restrict his or her HCAD and voter registration information.  Spouse may restrict voter information as well.

HPOU.org – Please update your address and/or email address at the HPOU office or by visiting www.HPOU.org (member tab).

Public Safety Financial Group (PSFG) –Thinking of retiring go see PSFG for a free financial analysis. The analysis is valued at approximately $500 and there is no obligation to join PSFG.  Contact PSFG at 832-200-3440 for an appointment.

URGENT CARE vs. ER – Ray advised the membership to use urgent care centers instead of emergency rooms.  Urgent care facilities are $65 compared to the ER visit of $400.  Because the city is self-insured, the ER visits increase the costs to the COH.

Ray Hunt reminded everyone to wear seat belts at all times and to watch your speed.

Sobering Center – Ray asked all members to support and utilize the sobering center.  Utilizing the sobering center helps the city and is an easy process for officers.  Most officers are unsure of the location so encourage officers to look up the area before having to transport a person to the facility.

Facebook/Twitter – Ray Hunt asked members to invite officers to “like” the HPOU Facebook page.  Additionally, HPOU is now on Twitter at @hpoutx.  The HPOU is working to increase communications to members.

The next meeting will be on September 7, 2017.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

None

NEW MEMBERS

Ryan Graham – Motion made by Ken Nealy with the second by Christian Dorton. The motion carried by vote of the membership. There were additional new members in the entire Cadet class 231. Joseph Castaneda made the motion, with the second by Tom Hayes. The motion carried by a vote of the membership.

DOOR PRIZES

Ray Hunt announced the door prizes.

ADJOURNMENT

Don Egdorf made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Colton Peveril seconds the motion. The motion passed by a majority of membership

Minutes prepared by: Will Reiser Secretary

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The Houston Police Department will host the 27th Annual International Problem-Oriented Policing Conference at the Hilton Americas Hotel at 1600 Lamar, from October 2-4. “Part of our responsibility as the host agency is to help market the conference to other law enforcement agencies within our state as well as surrounding states,” Lt. Susan W. Wheeler, citywide Read More

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For the seventh consecutive year, the HPOU hosted the celebrated Stars and Stripes charity golf tournament, which was held again at the beautiful Clubs of Kingwood on April 20.

This premier event was attended by scores of officers from HPD and other agencies, military veterans, elected officials, and several wounded warriors.  The tournament raised nearly $50,000.

This year’s proceeds went to Assist the Officer and Operation Lone Star, which provides care packages to veterans serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with providing much needed services to our wounded warriors stateside.

There were many sponsors that graciously contributed to this event, but special thanks goes to Kingwood Tournament Director Scott Rosnagle for hosting the tournament and Ms. Carolyn Cross with Joe Myers Ford for her unwavering support of our men and women in uniform.

A very special thanks goes to the US Navy Color Guard and HPD Honor Guard for presenting colors, and Doc Holiday for his stirring rendition of the National Anthem.  A sincere appreciation also to the many volunteers that assisted in making this event a great success.

The HPOU Barbeque team was also on hand to provide an incredible array of cooked food for the golfers and our special thanks to them as well.

Tournament Director HPD Captain Greg Fremin said, “It’s always a privilege and honor to be a part of something that provides services to others, specifically to our men and women who are in harm’s way every day, both here and abroad.

“This golf tournament allows as a department to have a great time of fellowship with a sport that we all love and also help out our brothers and sisters in uniform.  My sincere thanks to HPOU President Ray Hunt, 1^st Vice President Doug Griffith, and the HPOU for their unyielding support of this great venue.”

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Editor’s Note: Taylor Alvarez was a successful calf scrambler at this year’s Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. He got the calf sponsored by the Texas Police Trust and is providing HPOU members updates on his progress for next year.

By TAYLOR ALVAREZ

This month I have encountered many learning experiences with Sangria. I have bonded with her and she’s starting to bond with me and trust me.

Sangria has been a handful but with persistence and patience she has started to listen and walk with me very well. I have walked her in the arena every day and bathed her every other day.

Last Wednesday I put her in the pasture for the first time, whenever I first let her loose in the pasture she ran wild and began bucking and running around the whole pasture.

The next morning when I went to get her out to feed, she would look at me but wouldn’t come to me when I yelled her name so I had to chase her for an hour before she finally realized I was trying to feed her and ran to the gate. Now the pasture has become a reward that she looks forward to if she behaves well in the arena and wash rack.

My experience with Sangria is getting better and better each and every day that goes by. I am falling in love with her and I feel like a sad day care mom when I let her loose in the pasture.

Everyone in the barn likes to make fun of me because I talk to her as if she can talk back. Sangria is truly becoming a girls best friend.

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Stress is a natural response that can occur in any occupation – especially among law enforcement officers. Unmanaged and prolonged stress can take a physical toll on your body. That’s why it’s so important to learn effective ways to manage stress.

Simplify Your Life and Recognize Stress Triggers
“Delegate chores and responsibilities in your home to your family, so you’re not the only one taking care of day-to-day duties,” says Allison Urey, M.D., an Internal Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold’s The Woodlands Clinic. “Try to minimize negative, toxic or harmful people in your life.”

Dr. Urey recommends trying to maintain a regular schedule as much as you can. “If you feel stressed or anxious at home, try yoga, meditation or breathing exercises. Find a hobby you enjoy doing that requires some focus so that you have an outlet to unwind. Most importantly, learn to talk about stress, fear, anxiety or sadness with people you love or trust so these feelings don’t build up.”

Take Care of Your Body and Mind
Controlling stress is very much about keeping body and mind in a healthy balance. Regardless of what shift you work, be sure you’re getting enough sleep. That means at least seven hours of shuteye. If you’re on the night shift and sleep during the day, invest in blackout curtains, a sleep mask and some good ear plugs. Set a specific bedtime. Going to bed at a set time will help allow your body to get into a routine of shutting down, relaxing and ultimately falling asleep. The idea of going to sleep about the same time each day is to get your circadian rhythms back in check.

“Exercising also helps and may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Not only will the endorphins from exercise boost your mood, but exercise often helps people de-stress and think more clearly, not to mention the numerous physical benefits your body will receive.  Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep, but don’t exercise close to bedtime, which could leave you too energized to fall asleep,” says Dr. Urey.

Healthy eating also helps to keep your mind and body in a healthy balance. Food fuels your body, so when you put good things into it, good things come of it. Before leaving home, packing a small cooler or lunch bag with meals and/or snacks to have during your shift will help keep the right nutrients for fueling your body within reach and help you avoid the convenience store snack attacks. “Pack vegetables, lean proteins, fruits and whole grains. Eat five or six small meals a day and don’t skip breakfast, which kicks your metabolism into gear and gives you energy to start the day,” reminds Dr. Urey.

Avoid smoking and limit drinking alcohol and caffeine intake. Not only do these contribute to health risks, but they’re also associated with higher levels of anxiety.

Get a Regular Physical Exam

“An important part of managing stress and maintaining good health is getting regular preventive checkups,” says Dr. Urey. If you are over 40, you should be getting a comprehensive physical exam with your physician every year, and if you’re under 40, every two years. During your visit, your doctor will review your medical history and may order lab tests. Your checkup is also a great time to speak with your doctor about any health concerns you may have, including workplace stress.”

The post Tips from Kelsey-Seybold on Keeping Stress Levels Under Control appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

Balloting for this year’s election of the HPOU president, 3^rd vice president, secretary and board members with odd-numbered board seats begins Oct. 6.

The Union announced the full schedule for this year’s election procedures with filing for these positions to begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 1. The filing deadline is 10 a.m., Oct. 5 with electronic voting to begin at noon the following day.

The voting ends at noon, Friday, Oct. 20. Final official election results will be certified and posted within 72 hours.

“Tentative election results will be posted within 24 hours from the close of election,” HPOU Board Secretary Will Reiser said.

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Lt. Jim Glennon (ret.) is the owner and lead instructor for Calibre Press. He is a third-generation LEO, retired from the Lombard, Ill. PD after 29 years of service. Rising to the rank of lieutenant, he commanded both patrol and the Investigations Unit. In 1998, he was selected as the first Commander of Investigations for the newly formed DuPage County Major Crimes (Homicide) Task Force. He has a BA in Psychology, a Masters in Law Enforcement Justice Administration, is the author of the book Arresting Communication: Essential Interaction Skills for Law Enforcement

The post You Get the Police You Ask For On Baltimore’s mayor asking for federal police help appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

Councilman Greg Travis has proven he does his homework before he puts the money in his council district service fund where one might say the councilman’s mouth is.

For, you see, Travis talks the HPD talk and walks the walk by putting funding where he’s learned it should be used – for the protection and safety of HPD officers in his District G on the westside, the scene of a memorable Memorial Day 2016 active shooter scene.

Learning the Vest Lesson

Specifically, Travis and his staff recently announced the purchase of 200 Level 4 bullet-proof vests to be on hand in the event there is another active shooter like the one that happened on May 29, 2016. The shots were fired not all that far from Travis’ house.

“Why did we buy these?” Travis asks rhetorically, “because the officers need them. I learned that from the Memorial Day shooting in my district. The officers who were first on the scene needed them but didn’t have them. Now they do if something like this ever happens again.

“This purchase also came as the result of lessons learned from the Dallas police shooting,” he said, referring to an active shooter’s murder of five officers – four from the Dallas Police Department.

The first-term councilman did lots of that homework right there on the Memorial Drive scene, where he became very much aware of the fact that the first responders there lacked the proper protective covering to keep the bullets from high-powered automatic weapons from perhaps deadly penetration.

Travis observed that numerous shots aimed at uniformed first responders were fired before the fast-acting SWAT officers arrived to confront the shooter.

He remembered the occasion very vividly: “The shooter put 21 holes in an HPD car. Okay, there’s no question if an officer had been inside he might have been killed. He wouldn’t have had the proper protection.”

Generally speaking, the initial officers on the scene were not equipped with the Level 4 vests like those worn by SWAT officers.

But, Travis noted, “It took SWAT longer to get there than it did first responders.” All told, one the shooter killed one civilian and wounded two constables before a SWAT officer shot and killed him.

The shooter used an AR-15 to fire shots all around, including five at an HPD helicopter hovering over his head.

Today, 200 additional first responders in District G and in Central Patrol have the vests ready in their patrol cars in case they encounter another active shooter.

In doing his homework, Travis learned that the proper distribution numbers were the following: 64 vests at Central, 64 at Midwest and 72 at Westside.

The story of how Travis and his staff devised the plan should warm the vest-covered hearts of every HPD Patrol officer. He did it quietly and made sure the vests were in the proper hands before there was some recognition in the news media.

“We didn’t do it for the media attention,” he told the Badge & Gun, “We did it because it’s the right thing to do to protect our officers.”

Applause for Travis

No one recognizes the homework and resulting action better than HPOU President Ray Hunt.

“I applaud Council Member Travis coming to us saying he wanted to do something. We didn’t bat an eye. We suggested the vests and he and his very able staff took this plan and ran with it, got the funding and mad sure that it became reality.

“We can’t thank Greg and his staff enough for their dedication and commitment to the safety of Houston police officers.

“I suggest to every officer who encounters Greg to express their appreciation for his obviously heart-felt priority.”

It should be noted that HPD-related individuals played prominent roles in Travis’ efforts.

First, there’s the funding mechanism. Each Houston City Council member has had up to $1 million for use in what is termed a “council district service fund” or CDSF. Set up under Mayor Annise Parker, the individual fund has been reduced down to $725,000.

It turns out that this special funding mechanism – which Travis points out only amounts to .000089 percent of the city budget – was initiated by a former council member by the name of Clarence O. “Brad” Bradford, also a former HPD police chief.

Travis stays up front about his staff members – “I have the best staff anywhere” and credits them with expert homework that resulted in the sometimes-complicated project to require only a few months to bring to fruition.

Special credit, Travis said, goes to his chief of communications, Mark Kirschke, but also to his chief of staff, Monica Aizpurua, and staff members Kathleen Osborne and Cristal Pena.

Second HPD connection: Cristal is the daughter of HPD Officer Jose Pena.

And the close HPD relationships don’t stop there.

There’s a third. Travis and Kirschke credit HPD’s Stephen Daniel, the teacher of the widely acclaimed HPD active shooter class, for spawning a broader understanding of police interaction with active shooters. Daniel taught a class consisting of City Council members and their aides.

“We saw the film clip of Columbine and what happened when police secured the area while the shooters were inside committing murders,” Kirschke said, underscoring the lesson learned: active shooters must be confronted immediately in order to save lives.”

The April 20, 1999 massacre resulted in the deaths of 13 persons and injuries to 24 others.

Not only did Travis and his staff know all about the needs of first-responding police officers to active-shooter scenes, they knew how to get the best deal possible for Level 4 vests – through the Houston Police Foundation and ever-ready executive director Charlene Floyd. That’s the fourth very useful HPD connection.

Working with Floyd, Kirschke got the lowest price available, providing what has proven to be the best possible deal for District G residents and Houston police officers.

“They will have these in their trunks, where they will be available in case they’re ever needed,” Councilman Travis said. “I hope they never have to use them. But staying safe means being ready with the right equipment.

“We know it’s dangerous out there. We need to make it less dangerous if we give them the right equipment.”

Once again demonstrating the lessons he has learned from doing his homework on the subject of officer safety, the councilman said he would like to see bullet-proof glass for patrol cars not only for windshield use but also for the side windows.

“We need more police and better equipment,” he explained. “We need to make the windows bullet-proof on both the front and side windows. Remember that the New York police officer was shot through the side window of her patrol car.”

Other Future Goals

He believes the cost of this special equipment “has come down” and needs serious consideration by Houston’s elected officials.

Travis emphasized a Houston community profile that he believes distinguishes the Bayou City from other big cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. “We have good police officers and a good (city) administration that works within the community.

“They tell us that in the summer it gets to be really hot in Chicago and that the heat tends to cause more problems with police in the communities. That’s why Chicago has so many murders.

“If heat is what causes murders then Houston should be the murder capital of the world. We’re not. And that shows you what good police officers we have.

“Chicago is not as hot as Houston, where it’s hot here 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Travis praised HPD for its community-oriented policing that enables officers and the Command Staff from a majority-minority force to generate better community relationships and keep tabs on potentially volatile conditions.

He said he plans to keep HPD in the crosshairs of his Council District Service Fund. His next target: finding and securing the best possible obstacle course at the Academy.

The post District G Councilman Greg Travis finds council district Budget monies to fund 200 Level 4 bullet-proof vests appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

On average, the eight men on the Texas Death Row for the murder of Houston police officers have experienced more than 22 years of life while waiting for the painstakingly show appellate process to unfold.

The timeframe was determined by adding up the years between the death date of the officer and today’s date.

Also, this number, compiled by the Badge & Gun with data supplied by Josh Reiss, District Attorney Kim Ogg’s chief of the Post-Conviction Writs Division, shows the vilest of criminals are getting more free appellate time than their share of prompt execution dates.

Process Gets Longer

We have kept track of this trend since 2007 when the average amount of “bought time” by these inmates was just more than 13 years. By 2013 the number was 17 years.

It keeps on getting longer, thereby delaying closure for the families, partners and HPD colleagues of the murder victims.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg thusly responded:

“As the death penalty falls under greater scrutiny nationally, the job of defending such verdicts in capital cases grows harder for prosecutors.  Every claim must be reviewed and defended during the appellate and writ process with individual care.

“Our administration is dedicated to ensuring a fair process for all parties and to advocating to the very end for the brave officers who died at the hands of proven killers.”
By far the granddaddy of this infamous Death Row contingent continues to be Arthur L. Williams, who killed Detective Daryl W. Shirley on April 28, 1982 – 35 years ago!

Reiss said the case has been through myriad procedures in the state and federal appellate process. Most recently, a federal court reversed the case on a jury charge error, thus remanding it to state court for a new punishment hearing. “No date has been set yet,” Reiss said.

Nothing in the court systems gives priority to processing the cases of cop killers. The evidence of the slow-moving process continues to be overwhelming. All you must do is cite the cases of those individuals who killed Houston officers.

Let’s go down the list.

On Oct. 17, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to consider a review of Anthony Haynes’ case about two and half hours before he was scheduled to be put to death for the murder of HPD Sgt. Kent Kincaid.

Haynes’ case is currently being considered by the U. S. 5^TH Circuit Court of Appeals.

In May 1998, Haynes, then 19, shot Kincaid to death after the sergeant pulled over Haynes’ vehicle. Kincaid was reaching for his HPD identification when the shot was fired. Kincaid and his wife were on an outing to meet some friends when an object thrown from the Haynes vehicle struck Kincaid’s windshield.

Second to Williams in Death Row tenure is Robert M. Jennings, who killed Officer Elston Howard on July 19, 1988 – 29 years ago. By a narrow 5-4 vote, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted Jennings’ execution on Sept. 2, 2016. “They’ve never set another date,” Reiss said. “He filed a pleading claiming one of the jury instructions was flawed.”

Then we have the frustrating case of career criminal Carl W. Buntion, whose murder of HPD Solo Motorcycle Officer James Irby arguably was the most cold-blooded in modern policing history. The heinous crime took place on Aug. 27, 1990 – 27 years ago.

Irby encountered Buntion on a routine traffic stop on the near northside. Buntion shot Irby three times, once in the forehead and twice in the back in what prosecutors termed “execution-style.”

Buntion was retried and received the death penalty again on March 6, 2013. The Court of Criminal Appeals denied his state writ on June 5 of this year. “His remedy now is to go into federal court,” Reiss explained.

Such a process always takes many years.

On April 12, 1991 – 26 years ago – Shelton D. Jones killed Sgt. Bruno D. Soboleski. Jones’ death sentence was appealed to the Fifth Circuit, where it now languishes.

 On April 6, 1997 – “only” 20 years ago – Chuong Dong Tong killed Officer Tony Thrinh. He is still on Death Row. This case is currently pending in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. “That court recently held an evidentiary hearing regarding his claims for habeas corpus relief,” Reiss said. “There are no time limits for this procedure. Some judges move more quickly than others.”

No Corroborative Evidence

We now come to the unprecedented case of Officer Charles Clark, killed one day short of his 20^th anniversary with HPD. It’s safe to say that most Houstonians are by now familiar with the individuals initially charged with capital murder in the death of Officer Clark on April 3, 2003, 14 years ago.

Evidence at trial showed that A. D. Brown and Elijah Joubert killed Clark and a store clerk. Joubert remains on Death Row; Brown was released.

Brown was granted his habeas corpus and his case was dismissed, while the subject of a crusade by Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg, who earned a Pulitzer Prize for her work.

Officer Clark and another individual were both gunned down at a check-cashing business on the South Loop. Joubert was a party to the shootings but Brown was alleged to be the triggerman of Officer Clark. A jury found both men guilty and sentenced them to die by lethal injection administered by the state of Texas.

However, when Brown was successful in his habeas effort, the state dismissed the case due to lack of evidence. Brown had contended that he was not at the scene of the crime but rather at his girlfriend’s residence, an alibi supported by heretofore unadmitted phone records.

Reiss said witnesses at the trial changed their testimony and all that was left was the testimony of the third suspect, who agreed to truthfully testify as to the events at the capital murder in exchange for a plea to aggravated robbery.

That third individual was Dashan Glaspie.

Since the law requires corroborative evidence to back up the testimony of an eyewitness such as Glaspie, the state dropped its case against Brown.

There is no statute of limitations in capital murder cases. As such, it remains an open file in the Homicide Division. No other suspects besides Brown have turned up.

There is one more HPD case.

On Dec. 7, 2008, Mabry Joseph Landor III murdered Officer Timothy Abernethy – nine years go. His death penalty appeal went through the direct appellate process. After the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Landor habeas corpus relief, his attorney took the case to federal court, where it now resides.

Reiss reflected:

“These are death penalty cases and they are unquestionably the most serious and heinous crimes. Juries have determined they are to be given the ultimate punishment. As a result, there is  extensive due process.

“And that due process requires that they are allowed appeals in state court and federal court and they can ping pong back and forth for years, even decades.

“It can be very frustrating to the families of the victims to understand why it takes so long. But it is our job as prosecutors handling these writs to let these families know all the time that we are here for them, working for them and that we are going to work as many years as possible to make sure they get justice.”

Some Justice Served

Recent history shows that sometimes justice gets its own proper due process. There are three examples:

• Craig N. Ogan received a lethal injection in 2002 after serving 13 years on Death Row for murder in the Dec. 9, 1989 death of HPD Officer James “Bos” Boswell. Houstonians would go through 11 more years before another of its cop killers got justice.

• On May 15, 2013, Jeffrey D. Williams was executed for the murder of Officer Troy Blando on May 19, 1999. Williams got exactly 14 years of life up until his scheduled date of execution.

• Edgar Tamayo Arias, a Mexican national, was executed Jan. 22, 2014. Tamayo, 46, was convicted of the 1994 murder of Officer Guy Gaddis, who was fatally shot after arresting Tamayo and another man for robbery. Tamayo lived 10 years longer than his victim.

So far, three individuals have avoided Death Row because juries chose instead to sentence them to life without patrol. Those individuals and their cases are:

• Antoin Marshal and Brandon Zachary, who killed Officer Rueben Deleon on Oct. 26, 2005. They were sentenced to life without parole and remain in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

• Illegal and once-deported immigrant Juan Leonardo Quintero murdered Officer Rodney Johnson on Sept. 21, 2006. A jury found Quintero guilty of capital murder but sentenced him to life without parole. He also resides in the TDCJ after attempting to escape.

The post The average Texas Death Row tenure for Houston Cop killers has risen to 22 years – and counting appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

EIGHT INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY RESIDE ON TEXAS’ Death Row awaiting the jury-mandated punishment for wantonly killing a Houston police officer.

As prosecutors always point out: these men are entitled to the most extreme version of due process since their lives are at stake. No one wants an innocent man to become a victim of the ultimate punishment under Texas law.

Yes, but:

The state and federal appeals process almost always takes many years, usually decades. For the last 10 years the Badge & Gun has kept close tabs on the timeframes of the appellate process of Houston’s cop killers. The math we do is based on the number of years the convicted killers – all of whom used hand guns – have been allowed to live from the date of their capital crime until today.

In 2007, the average number of years of life was 13 years. By 2013 it grew to 18 years. Today, in the summer of 2017, it’s just more than 22 years – and growing.

Given these circumstances, few anti-death-penalty advocates could argue that due process is not being administered, good and proper.

We don’t argue against that crucial right that is constitutionally protected. However, we have to wonder why the Legislature – with its much-appreciated commitment to law enforcement officers across Texas – doesn’t properly enhance laws affecting the appeals of those convicted of the capital murder of law enforcement officers TO SPEED UP THE STATE APPELLATE PROCESS.

Right to a speedy trial is one thing. We need the right to a speedy capital murder appeal.

Too frequently we see such cases languishing on the agenda of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Alas, appellate attorneys are known to work too slowly. Consequently, it takes years to duly process appeals at the state level before the usually-unsuccessful appellant is then entitled to access the federal courts. And we don’t have to tell you how long that process can take.

At this point let us recount the case of “the granddaddy of Death Row inmates” who is there as the result of murdering an HPD officer. Arthur L. Williams killed Detective Daryl W. Shirley on April 28, 1982 – 35 years ago! The Williams/Shirley case has been scoured with a fine-tooth appellate comb through the state and federal process until most recently a federal court reversed the case on a jury charge error. This means another technicality remanded the case to state court for a new punishment hearing.

Guess what? No hearing has been set yet.

State lawmakers should be more mindful of appellate court agendas and do more to ensure prompt movement of capital murder cases involving law enforcement officers. Technicalities have enabled Detective Shirley’s killer to take in 35 years of life since his capital crime. It’s time the Legislature messed with those technicalities enough to speed up the time it’s taking Shirley’s family – and his HPD family – to see justice done.

The post Speed up State Appeals! HPD cop killers ‘enjoy’ living an average of 22 years longer than the men they killed appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

While I rode nightshift patrol for around 18 years, HPD and HFD had a great working relationship.  While we did completely different jobs, many times we were on the same scenes.

We supported each other and assisted each other in our very different roles.  Unfortunately, the pay parity petition they have put forth, coupled with the pension bill that lumped police, fire and municipal in the same bill, has put a severe strain on that relationship.

Before I state my position on their petition, I want to be clear that I am confident that our entire membership believes our brothers and sisters in red deserve a pay raise and deserve to be paid comparable to FIREFIGHTERS in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Fort Worth, just as we compare ourselves to POLICE OFFICERS in those cities.

We have NEVER compared our pay with firefighters in this city or firefighters in any comparable city since our first contract in 1998.  Their petition that calls for parity with HPD is flawed and cannot be supported by the HPOU.

This petition calls for any new pay or benefits achieved by police to go to fire as well, but NO MENTION of benefits, shifts, overtime policies, etc., achieved by fire going to police.

The petition campaign shows similarities between HFD and HPD and lists 14 Line of Duty deaths for police and 15 for fire.  It lists the work week for fire at 46.7 hours per week, while showing police only working 40 hours per week.

I called their union president and asked the intent of these two statistics.  He advised me that he was only trying to show how similar the jobs are and assured me there was no ill intent.

I refuse to even address the line of duty deaths as this has never come up in any contract negotiations that I have ever been a part of and feel every lost life is tragic.

I will, however, address the 40 hours versus 46.7 hours.  I know many police officers who would jump at the opportunity to work nine days a month, 24-hour shifts, and be able to remain at the station and respond to calls from there and be permitted to sleep when there were no calls.  (No HPD calls holding would be VERY seldom.)  HPD policy prohibits sleeping on duty and can result in termination.  That statistic being placed in play in this petition drive was disingenuous, to say the least.

The petition campaign calls for pay parity in base pay from “comparable” ranks. That’s the next problem we have with this petition.

The fire petition compares their Engineer/Operators (EO) to our Senior Police Officers.  One can become an EO at HFD after three years.  The earliest a police officer can reach Senior Police Officer at HPD is 12 years.

They compare their Senior Captain, Senior Inspector, Senior Investigator, Communications Senior Captain, and Shop Supervisor to our Lieutenants.  We have 213 lieutenants in a department of 5,100.  They have at least 237 “comparables” in a department of 4,100.

They compare our Captain rank to their District Chief, Assistant Arson Investigator, Chief Inspector, Chief Communications Officer and Master Mechanic.  We have 44 Captains, they have at least 126 “comparables.”

Their Deputy Chief, Arson Investigator, Assistant Fire Marshal, and Deputy Chief Communications Officer have no comparable at HPD because we gave up the position of Deputy Chief years ago for a pay raise.

Are they wanting to give up this tested rank?  They have at least 13 in these ranks and want them paid 15 percent above an HPD Captain’s pay.  Therefore, if we were to negotiate a three percent pay increase for our 44 Captains, they would receive a three percent pay raise for at least 139 “comparables” from a finite money pie. While HFD is close to 20 percent smaller than HPD, they have a much larger percentage of supervisors than HPD.

This petition campaign does not stop at base pay.  It also includes the following:

• Those employed in fire suppression to receive patrol pay.
• All shall receive the same training pay as police with like seniority.
• Arson Investigators shall receive investigator pay.
• Firefighters who train others shall receive field training pay.
• Firefighters shall receive mentoring pay as those in HPD.
• Weekend and shift differential pay shall apply to some.
• Firefighters shall receive educational incentive pay (but not required to promote as with HPD).
• They shall receive college reimbursement (but again no requirement to promote).
• They shall receive a clothing allowance.
• They shall receive equipment pay (remember police buy their own guns, ammo, handcuffs, expandable night sticks, etc.).

As many of you know, the above pays were negotiated over several contracts and were the result of us giving up something else.  That’s how Meet and Confer works.  Our friends in red want the benefits we have achieved, but no mention of giving up what we have done to receive these benefits.  As mentioned above, years ago we gave up the tested rank of Deputy Chief.  Fire maintains this rank.

Many years ago, the HPOU allowed, by contract, for HPD to put whomever they want in the academy classes which has resulted in a majority minority department.  Fire does not have this policy.

Furthermore, HFD officers attend in-service training on an overtime basis.  We attend on-duty status and do not replace that worker who attends in-service.  Their beat or district coworkers simply suck it up.  HFD has a requirement of four persons per truck.  It would be great if we had a requirement of two persons per unit.  We don’t.

HFD has minimum staffing and persons are called in for overtime when one calls in sick.  HPD does not replace anyone who calls in sick.  We simply have others at work cover that workload.

In order to take the promotional exam for Lieutenant at HPD, one must have an associate’s degree.  One must have at least a bachelor’s degree to take the Captain exam.  One must have a master’s degree to be appointed to Assistant or Executive Assistant Chief.  These requirements requested by management during Meet and Confer resulted in education pay incentive and college tuition reimbursement.

There is no educational requirement for any rank at HFD, but their petition calls for education pay and tuition reimbursement.

Also, during the pension debate in Austin this past session, HFD successfully convinced Senator Joan Huffman to allow them to continue to game their pension by using overtime and the highest 72 pay periods.

Further, they were given a different formula for COLAs that will allow them a slightly higher COLA than HPD.  Senator Huffman justified that by stating that she was trying to get as close as possible to their initially agreed upon concessions. Mark Clark and I questioned why HPD was not getting these same benefits since we were put in the same bill.

We were advised that HFD was behind HPD in active pay and agreed not to oppose these two benefits they would receive that we would not.  These two benefits were on top of the fact that HFD firefighters hired after 2004 until now have DROP, while our officers hired after 2004 have no DROP.

During the session, I ran into a firefighter who graduated the same year as I did from the same high school.  He and I debated the pension bill in the hallway while several other firefighters listened in.  He stated that they are paid less than HPD and I advised him that his pension was much better. He disagreed.

I then pulled up my DROP statement on my phone and showed him my balance and monthly benefit.  He was very surprised and questioned how I intended to live on that amount.  I assured him that while I wish it was higher, my desire was to make sure our pension was sustainable today AND in the future.

Remember, every dime spent in the City of Houston is taken from the same finite pool of money.

I consider my counterpart at HFD to be a friend and have total respect for him trying to get the best deal possible for his members, even if I disagree with the method.  He recently asked me why I would not support this petition since we are both labor leaders.  I advised him that I have never looked at HFD pay or any other fire department’s pay during our negotiations because it would be like comparing apples to oranges.

I also advised him that the HPOU and our members would have totally supported any petition drive that called for HFD to be paid comparable to FIREFIGHTERS in Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.  This is not what they have done and we are not supportive of this petition.

While I applaud them for getting so many signatures in a very short period of time, I wonder how many of those signing knew all the facts and how can one put those kinds of details in a petition?  Contracts takes months to negotiate.

Interestingly, around 2005, our friends at fire did not like the procedures for getting pay and benefit increases, so they went to the voters to gain collective bargaining.  They achieved that, but now claim that is not working for them, so they want to go back to the voters to negotiate pay and benefits at the ballot box.

Nowhere in their petition does it mention a cost.  Wouldn’t that be important to a taxpayer to know?  It’s very important to us as we get ready to negotiate our next contract.

Our Vice President, Joe Gamaldi, did some quick math and found that it would cost between $40-50 million per year at minimum.

When I advised some in red of this fact, I was accused of being a mouthpiece for the mayor.  No, I’m just a mouthpiece for our members who have given up things to get the pay we have today, who have taken small raises over the years to get where we are today, who even took two years of zero pay increases, and who did not get pension contributions paid in order to prevent layoffs of police officers and firefighters.

In closing, I am certain some in red will take from this article that Ray Hunt and the HPOU do not support a pay raise for firefighters.

That is the farthest from the truth.  That is fake news!

We want our brothers and sisters in red to receive fair compensation through collective bargaining that is comparable to firefighters in Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

/augus

The post Wait! Before considering HFD’s pay parity petition, why compare the HPD apple to the HFD orange? appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.

Many from across the country and the world have asked how they can help our officers. Well we have everal officers lose their homes, possessions, and cars and yet they are still out on the streets serving our community.

If you would like to help, Assist the Officer is currently accepting donations to aid Houston area law enforcement officers who have suffered from the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Donations can be made online at

http://www.assisttheofficer.com/

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