Officer's Association Calling For FWPD Chief's Resignation
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The findings of an internal investigation over claims of harassment and racial discrimination within the Fort Worth Police Department continue to set off fiery emotions.
On Friday, the union representing black police officers in Fort Worth called for Chief Jeff Halstead to step down.
CBS 11 News looked at the report, put together by an independent consulting firm, and as far as we can tell it found no evidence of racial discrimination, but did find other problems.
The report which first became public earlier this week points out failures within the department to follow policies that would have stopped or prevented harassment. It also said investigators found no proof of racial discrimination.
It was nearly two years ago when several minority officers first reported being ridiculed and then retaliated against.
Earlier this week Chief Halstead issued a video apology on YouTube. In the video he said, "A little over a year and a half ago two of our employees within the traffic division were disrespected and retaliated against, simply because of their skin color. It's very egregious. It's very hurtful and I know it's never going to happen again, because I am not going to tolerate it."
Now the president of the Fort Worth Black Law Enforcement Officer's Association is saying the apology is too little to late, and is demanding that Chief Halstead resign.
In a statement sent to CBS 11 Sergeant Roy Hudson said -
"Chief Halstead should be relieved of his duties. Through his acts of commission and omission he has irreparably harmed the career of many minorities, and irrevocably severed any trust between himself and minority officers."
The Chief fired back with a statement of his own. It said, in part, –
"It would mean the world to me if the executive board of the BPOA reached out to me and expressed a desire to work these issues out directly with me."
There is no indication Halstead intends to step down.
Sources tell CBS 11 union members will gather over the weekend to access what course of action to take next.
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