TRINIDAD, Texas – Trinidad Police Department is being shut down by the state of Texas
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Trinidad PD ordered to disband
What we know:
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement sent a letter to Trinidad’s mayor saying the police department “failed to meet minimum standards” and “was unable to provide evidence that the agency provides public benefit to the community.”
The backstory:
In May, a woman named Jennifer Combs was charged with felony false alarm for a Facebook post discussing the city’s water.
Related
Woman files lawsuit after arrest for Facebook post concerning Trinidad water supply issues
A Facebook post about problems with the City of Trinidad’s water quality led to the arrest of a Henderson County resident, who says she’s filed a lawsuit against the city and called the arrest “political retaliation.”
Some city leaders claimed she was spreading misinformation. Since then, her charge was dropped and state investigators have found a list of issues with the water system that need fixing.
Combs’ controversial arrest gained national attention and TCOLE began investigating the department.
Police department lacked resources, policies
Dig deeper:
TCOLE’s letter to the mayor stated the agency found the police department lacked resources for officers, including not having bulletproof vests or an evidence room.
They were also found to not have nearly two dozen necessary policies, including those addressing use of force, active shooter situations, vehicle pursuits and professional conduct of officers.
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Related
Multiple Trinidad officials resign amid water controversy
The entire City Hall staff in Trinidad has resigned following months of controversy involving arrests, firings, and water quality in the small Texas town.
What’s next for Trinidad, public safety
What’s next:
Trinidad City Council member Steven Stearman said the agency’s shutdown might not actually be a bad thing.
“Depending on how we fluctuate the funds, we might fix the water sooner,” Stearman said. “To me, that’s what I would suggest we do immediately.”
Stearman calls the shutdown “failed accountability.”
“It didn’t happen overnight,” he said. “The state finally came in, stepped in and shut it down.”
Trinidad Police Department will be stripped of its TCOLE licenses by Friday.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office will now have to add enforcement in Trinidad. The city’s long-term plan is unclear.
The sheriff’s office was already handling the response to certain calls after the district attorney said he would stop accepting cases handled solely by Trinidad police.
The Texas Rangers are still investigating city and police officials related to multiple controversial arrests amidst the ongoing water controversy.
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