Ft. Worth Police Department: Insiders Say Right On Schedule with Ticket Quotas

Ft. Worth, Texas

In the state of Texas, it is against the law for police to have a traffic ticket quota.

However, according to some Fort Worth Police Department insiders, the department somehow must have missed that memo.

A local television station has discovered other memos that reveal some officers who are part of a special enforcement program – funded by a federal grant and administered by the state — must make at least four traffic stops an hour.

A veteran Fort Worth officer, who spoke to TV station investigative reporters, on the condition that he remains anonymous, says the Fort Worth PD has a well-oiled quota system underway.

The FWPD is one of numerous law enforcement agencies in Texas that participate in the Selected Traffic Enforcement Program, also known as STEP.

The Dallas Police Department’s recent step grant is reportedly worth nearly $1 million. But when the I-Team repeatedly asked Dallas police about whether they have a quota on ticket writing, they simply did not respond.

“They don’t come out and say ‘write four citations,’ they say four “contacts,” the officer told the I-Team, adding: “But the officer working the grant knows what “contact” means.”

The station obtained several exclusive Fort Worth police internal memos, including one that says, “Our contractual agreement with the state of Texas is that officers will make four traffic contacts per hour. Performance at this level is paramount to maintaining the grant.”

An older police memo said the “law enforcement objective” for the STEP grant program was to increase speed citations by 14,250; DWI arrests by 200; safety belt citations by 975 and child safety seat citations by 100.

Police patrol officers who participate in the STEP program are paid overtime, which is funded by the grant.

The three officers who write the most tickets by the end of the grant period “get a trophy and a letter of appreciation for being the top producers,” the veteran officer told the I-Team.

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead initially agreed to be interviewed by the station, but he changed his mind right before the interview.

Former Panola Sheriff Ron Clinton Pleads Guilty to Tampering With a Government Document

Carthage, Texas

Former Panola County Sheriff Ron Clinton has pled guilty to tampering with a government document, but Judge Diane DeVasto withheld a finding of guilt and sentenced Clinton to three years' probation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Clinton voluntarily surrendered his peace officer's license, but it also resolves any other state or federal criminal complaints against him, Moore said. Clinton will also repay the county $1,000 in restitution.

It was in November, that Clinton was elected sheriff. He was sworn into office Jan. 1, but was arrested in February, after local authorities charged him with tampering with a government record, abuse of official capacity and theft by a public servant.

The original warrant contained the following information, according to a local Panola County news source:

Warrant No. 1033-69 - Abuse of Official Capacity - a Class A Misdemeanor; Warrant No. 1034-69 - Theft by Public Servant - a State Jail Felony; and Warrant No. 1035-69 - Tampering with Government Document - a State Jail Felony - all show Clinton stands accused by written affidavit under oath of Ranger Brent Davis filed before the Magistrate in and for Panola County anterior to the issuance of the warrants.

The official warrant affidavit/complaint supporting the arrest of Sheriff Clinton states: “The State of Texas County of Panola Arrest Warrant Affidavit

Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared the undersigned affiant who after being by me duly sworn on oath deposes and says: My name is Brent Davis and I have good reason to believe and do believe that on or about the 11th day of January 2013, in Panola County, Texas, Ronald Worth Clinton did then and there intent to obtain a benefit or with intent to harm or defraud another, intentionally or knowingly misuse government property or any other thing of value belonging to the government, to wit confidentially informant (CI) fund, which had come into the defendants custody or possession by virtue of the defendants office as a public servant, namely Sheriff of Panola County, by utilizing the fund moneys to pay a personal debt, and the value of said money was $500 or more but less than $1500.

Against the Peace and Dignity of the State:

My belief of the above is based on the following facts and information:

Affiant is Brent Davis, a Texas Ranger assigned to the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Affiant has been a licensed Peace Officer for approximately 16 years.

Affiant was assigned a special investigation into allegations that the Panola County Sheriff Ronald Clinton misappropriated funds, which concern cash payments to informants.

On 11-26-12 Clinton was issued a travel advance of $882.50 for meals to attend a new Sheriffs school in Austin in December 2012. On 11-26-12 Clinton was a public servant, serving as a peace officer with the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.

On 1-1 13 Clinton took office as Sheriff of Panola County, Texas.

On 1-10-13 the Panola County Auditor’s Office requested receipts for funds appropriately used and return any excess funds.

On 1-10-13, Sheriff Clinton prepared a written request to the Panola County Auditor to take funds out of Seizure and Forfeiture Fund to cover expenses incurred during the aforementioned training. The Panola County Auditor denied his request.

On 1-11-13, Sheriff Clinton received $1000 out of the Confidential Information (CI) fund to pay an informant for information relating to the theft of oilfield equipment in and around Panola County.

On the same date, Sheriff Clinton repaid the outstanding balance of $810.58 in the same monetary denomination as the CI Fund to the Panola County Treasurers’ Office.

On 1-30-13 the Panola County Auditor’s Office conducted an audit on the CI Fund and Sheriff Clinton provided an official document to wit: a CI receipt, which had an illegible signature of the informant and on witness signature. The receipt did have Sheriff Clinton’s signature.

On 2-13-13 Affiant interviewed Sheriff Clinton and was provided [the informant] name of “ Joe Stanley”, but Affiant was told he could not meet said informant.

On 2-27-13, Affiant interviewed [the informant] and was told Sheriff Clinton came to his residence in Gary, Panola County, Texas and asked [the informant] to meet with Texas Ranger and tell him that he ( [the informant] ) received $1000 in twenty (20) dollar bills for drug information.

[The informant] further advised he did not sign any documents and Sheriff Clinton provided him the name of Joe Stanley to use as the informant name. Sheriff Clinton stated he would attempt to help with [the informant’s] probation if he did this for him. Sheriff Clinton also gave [the informant] a $20 bill before leaving.

Later on the same date, Affiant received a telephone call from Sheriff Clinton inquiring if everything was okay after [the informant] interview. Affiant Informed Sheriff Clinton he needed to provide the truth and the conversation ended.

I was informed that Sheriff Clinton brought [the informant] to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and had him provide a written statement stating the Texas Rangers and the FBI forced [the informant] to say things that were not true.

On the same date at approximately 6:47 p.m., Affiant received a text message from Sheriff Clinton advised the aforementioned written statement had been prepared.”

The arrest warrant affidavit was received Feb. 28, 2013 by Panola County J. P. Court Precinct 1, by Judge David Gray.

Virginia Police Officer Christopher Roush Busted for Masturbating on His Front Porch

Newport News, Virginia

So, not a story from Texas, but any story involving a police officer and masturbation simply must be told, I think.

Newport News police officer Christopher Roush, 41, was taken into custody on April 7, after police said he exposed himself at his front door on Harpersville Road, masturbating in view of passers-by. At the time, Roush was charged with exposing himself to two people, and faced three misdemeanor counts.

However, since that time, the number of charges against the officer has multiplied. Court documents now list the initials of six people who were victimized by Roush’s porch masturbation. The misdemeanor charges against Roush have quadrupled to 12 counts — seven counts of indecent exposure and five counts of making an "obscene sexual display."

A felony charge has now been issued, as one of the victims was a child under the age of 15-years old. That earned him a charge of taking indecent liberties with a child.

"Christopher E. Roush ... did knowingly, intentionally and with lascivious intent expose his or her sexual or genital parts to ... a child under the age of 15 years," according to the indictment.

Roush turned himself in on Saturday and was released on an $11,000 bond. In a brief arraignment in Circuit Court on Monday, Roush waived the reading of the 13 indictments against him.

Court documents describe the ugly scene of the April day.

According to the initial criminal complaint filed against the officer in General District Court, police responded to Roush's home on Harpersville Rood about 9 a.m. on April 7. An officer arrived and saw a man pointing at Roush's home from across the street.

The officer then turned and saw Roush standing in his doorway "entirely nude," holding the glass door open and pointing back "at the citizen from across the street," the complaint said. The officer then made a U-turn, the complaint said, and "Mr. Roush withdrew into the home and closed both the glass and the wooden door."

Later, the complaint said, police heard from a woman who told them that she saw a man standing on the front porch of the same home, using one hand to hold the door open and the other hand to masturbate with. After she made a U-Turn, the woman told police, the man "was still masturbating on the front porch," the complaint said.

The woman later picked Roush out of a photo spread as the man she saw, police said.

Roush is a master police officer who has been with the department for nine years and was assigned to the South Precinct of the city. Since his arrest, he's been on administrative leave without pay.

Katy Fire Chief Marc Jordan Indicted on Drug Charges

Katy Fire Chief Marc Jordan

Katy, Texas

Lately, if what authorities are saying is true, the best place to pick-up a prescription is down at the fire station. Katy Fire Chief Marc Jordan has been indicted for allegedly stealing drugs from a Katy Fire Department ambulance.

According to investigators, Jordan had been dispensing the generic version of valium, called Diazapam, to a woman named Angela Jordan, according to the indictment. It’s not clear if she is related to the chief.

According to court documents, Jordan claimed he dropped a box of Diazapam and a few of the cartridges broke. He said he threw them away, but authorities don’t believe him.

Jordan is charged with diversion of a controlled substance and tampering with a government document, both felonies.

Jordan has been with the Katy Fire Department since 1972 and has been fire chief for 11 years.

He was recently featured in Katy Magazine where he said he considers the fire station his second home and called his job his passion.

Jordan was released on a $5,000 bond.

DPS Swat Sergeant and Certified Breath Test Operator Jose Osornio Ironically Busted for Drunk-Driving

Cedar Park, Texas

Here’s a case of irony for you. A sergeant with the Texas Department of Public Safety SWAT team, who just happens to be a certified DWI breath test operator, was suspended with pay this week after Cedar Park police arrested him for drunk-driving.

According to an arrest affidavit, police stopped 27-year-old Jose E. Osornio on Saturday in the 2500 block of Vista Oaks Drive after he violated various traffic codes.

Osornio told police that he came from a bar called the Wild West where he had two beers and was on his way to his friend’s home, though he could not tell police where his friend’s home was, the document said.

He admitted to closing the bar down at 2 a.m.

Osornio, who has been with DPS since 2008, was suspended Monday.

Police said in the affidavit that Osornio had watery, bloodshot eyes with dilated pupils and a strong alcohol odor coming from his breath. His attitude was described as cocky, the affidavit stated.

Osornio was released from the Travis County Jail later Saturday, according to jail records. His bail was set at $2,000.

Two Houston Police Officers Caught Beating Teen Suspect Sentenced To Probation

Raad Hassan (l) Phil Bryan (r)

Houston, Texas

If you are a police officer needing to release aggression and maybe beat-up a teen suspect, while facing only minor consequences, you might look into the Houston Police Department.

Two Houston police officers accused of beating a black teenage burglary suspect during an arrest that was caught on video were each sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation as part of plea agreements.

Officers Raad Hassan, 43, and Phil Bryan, 47, each entered pleas of no contest to a misdemeanor charge of official oppression. The two men had been set to go to trial on Monday. If convicted at trial, each ex-officer had faced up to a year in jail.

State District Judge Ruben Guerrero accepted the former officers' pleas and sentenced them to two years of deferred adjudication, a form of probation. If the men complete their probations without getting into trouble, their convictions will be dismissed.

The beating of then-15-year-old Chad Holley prompted fierce public criticism of the Houston police department by community activists, who called it an example of police brutality against minorities.

Four officers were charged; one was acquitted last May and another officer's case is still pending.

Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg Issues DWI Apology from Jail

Austin, Texas

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg took a few moments, while serving a 45-day jail sentence for drunk driving, to issue an apology letter.

To the citizens of Travis County:

I understand many have commented both in support of and against my returning to office. I would like to speak for myself and this is the only form of communication available to me at this time.

I apologize to all of you. There can be no anger directed at me – or disappointment in me – greater than my own. And, I neither believe nor expect that any words written or speech given can possibly convey the magnitude of the shame I feel for breaking the law and therefore, the trust with the people I serve and the community I love.

My sincere apologies to the arresting officers and to the entire law enforcement community with whom I have worked side-by-side for 37 years and for whom I have always had great respect. After my arrest, I failed to act properly and I failed to show the respect that those law enforcement professionals deserve. For my misbehavior and disrespect toward them, I am truly sorry. I appreciate greatly their patience, civility, and professionalism.

I also owe an apology to the staff at the Travis County Jail. Their jobs are always difficult, and some of my behavior that night made their jobs even more difficult. And, while I have received no special treatment while in jail, I have been treated with respect and courtesy.

My apologies to those who have supported me in the past and through this very difficult time. I have been fortunate to have the backing of both Republicans and Democrats. There is no room for partisanship in the District Attorney’s office.

And, most of all, my apologies to this community. My life, like yours, is full of victories and defeats, highs and lows, joy and sadness, shining moments and stunning mistakes. I think you know where this moment lies.

Last, my sincere apologies to the staff of the District Attorney’s office. I know this experience has created anxiety and concern, but I also know them to be dedicated public servants who consistently put their own needs aside to serve the greater good.

It was both my choice and responsibility to plead guilty and to accept the punishment meted out by the court before I took any other action. To do otherwise never occurred to me.

There are three things I want you to know.

First and foremost, I take the offense of driving while intoxicated seriously.

There are hundreds of reasons that lead up to a single event in our lives – but no excuse for driving while intoxicated.

Secondly, upon my release, I will continue to seek professional help and guidance.

I know that I need help understanding and treating the cause of this behavior. For that reason, I am making arrangements for further professional assessments and pledge to follow all recommended treatment as soon as I have served my jail term.

And, third, I must deal with the civil issues facing me.

Some of that situation is out of my hands. But I can assure you I will address the issues in a forthright and honest manner.

As others have stated, I have never planned to seek a third term and will not. It is my hope to complete my term in office to complete the work we (my dedicated professional staff and I) started four years ago. I am proud of the work we have done from this office over the last 37 years and I hope to have the opportunity to continue that service.

I offer my deepest regret and most sincere apology and seek forgiveness from the people of Travis County.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Lehmberg