Texas police dept ordered closed for failing to provide any community benefit
7 hours ago
- A Texas police department was ordered closed after failing to prove it benefited the community.
- The closure followed the arrest of Jennifer Combs for a social media post about contaminated water, which led to charges that were later dropped.
- Another supporter was arrested for displaying a protest placard, but that charge was also dropped.
- The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCLE) investigated and found the department failed to meet minimum standards.
- The department lacked resources such as bulletproof vests and an evidence room, and had issues with use-of-force policies.
- An environmental investigation confirmed problems with the water supply, which city officials promised to fix.
- Police duties were transferred to the Henderson County sheriff's office after the closure.
- The former chief resigned after a grand jury declined to indict Combs, who filed a wrongful arrest lawsuit.
- Combs stated that citizens questioning the department were dismissed or arrested, but the state confirmed the department's failures.