May 12th 2024.
The Houston Police Department has recently been caught up in a scandal surrounding their use of a secret code within the department. This code, known as "suspended: lack of personnel" or "SL," was being used improperly to dismiss incident reports due to a shortage of staff. Unfortunately, this mistake has resulted in the resignation or firing of four high-ranking executives, including former police chief Troy Finner, who stepped down on May 7th.
An investigation revealed that over 250,000 cases had been suspended at HPD Headquarters due to a lack of personnel. According to the Houston Chronicle, even though Finner had instructed his staff to stop using the code in 2021, it had already become deeply ingrained in the department's operations and continued to be used. HPD spokesman Kese Smith stated that although the code was no longer in use, Chief Finner was determined to make significant changes within the department to move past this controversy and ensure that every violent crime was thoroughly investigated.
It was clear that Finner and Houston Mayor John Whitmire had a close relationship, as alluded to in a statement made by the mayor regarding Finner's retirement during the ongoing investigation. It was discovered that Finner had responded to an email containing the problematic code in 2018, contradicting his previous claims about issuing the instruction to stop using it in 2021. This prompted him to have a conversation with Mayor Whitmire, after which Finner made the decision to retire on his own.
In an interview, Mayor Whitmire revealed that the email from 2018 was the "final straw" and that the issue had become a major distraction for the department. He stated that he had to prioritize the safety and well-being of the city and could not let personal relationships or issues drive his decisions. Despite considering Finner a friend, it was a difficult but necessary choice for him to accept Finner's retirement in the middle of his assignment.
Whitmire further explained that the investigation and suspended cases had become such a disruption within the department that it was affecting their ability to address important matters such as response time and hot spots. He expressed hope that Finner's retirement would shift the focus back to these critical areas. However, concerns still remain from those who have been affected by the controversial policy of dropping investigations that the department did not want to handle. Hai Bui, the founder of an activist group, We the People Organize, was relieved about Finner's retirement but also called for transparency regarding how the department will use a $6 million grant from the Department of Justice.
Similarly, Sonia Corrales, the deputy CEO of the Houston Area Women's Center, emphasized the need to prioritize the survivors of sexual violence who were ignored by the department. She stressed the importance of standing up for these survivors and ensuring that such neglect does not happen again. Corrales shared that some sexual assault survivors, whose cases were dropped due to the lack of staff, had reached out to her organization for support.
As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful for justice and accountability from the Houston Police Department. Families of victims, such as the relatives of a domestic violence murder case, are still seeking answers and closure, as the department withholds details. It is crucial that the department takes responsibility for their actions and works towards rebuilding trust and addressing the needs of the community.
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