Records show discipline is overturned or reduced 70% of the time.
Hearing examiners for the city have overturned or reduced nearly 70 percent of punishments given to Houston police officers by HPD management over the last 17 years, recently obtained records show.
The role of independent examiners is a key element in Houston's ability to discipline and remove dangerous officers from the force.
Perceptions of police misconduct and brutality in Houston have intensified so much recently that on Friday Mayor Annise Parker announced a new, independent police oversight board would replace the existing citizens' review committee to address ongoing concerns in the community.
The mayor's administration is also negotiating with police unions to replace most of the 10 examiners with a new slate of arbitrators.
The issue has become contentious as Police Chief Charles McClelland has fought to keep two officers from winning their jobs back after he fired them last year for their role in the beating of burglary suspect Chad Holley.
Both officers were reinstated to their jobs by hearing examiners.
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