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Texas’ Largest Police Union The Publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union www.HPOU.org Vol. XXXX No. 5 May 2014 The President’s Message Shoddy Journalism Hand in hand with misuse of HPD’s IA Ray Hunt A recent editorial in the Houston Chronicle – that’s the last local newspaper here in Houston – by an unknown author did a hatchet job on the Houston Police Department, asking why HPD is so prone to mismanagement and asking for answers to questions answered over and over. It appeared that the author wants to dictate policy at HPD instead Undies for Everyone collects new underwear and distributes it of focusing on how to keep the handful of readers the paper still has. We quickly responded to the mayor and City Council with our directly to Houston area students in need and school nurses who response and received several positive replies. help students after accidents. HPOU expressed its support for the organization’s goal on April 7 in a check presentation ceremony A few days later, I received a call from a Chronicle reporter asking at the Union Building. HPOU President Ray Hunt, left, led the for my assistance on a story he was doing. This same reporter, not presentation along with 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi, who the author of the editorial, wrote an article earlier in the month that presents a $2,000 check to Undies for Everyone Board Chair was not completely factual and incorrectly reported the pension Elyse Spector Kalmans and founder Rabbi Amy Weiss, 1st amounts of two HPD retirees, overstating one by over $20,000. Vice President Doug Griffith and Board Member Jeff Wagner. GARY HICKS PHOTO I’m still waiting for that retraction. When he called, I advised him that I was not giving any comments to the Houston Chronicle for an indefinite period of time due to their unfair “journalism.” He NON-PROFIT ORG. Houston Police Officers’ Union U.S. Postage appeared surprised and asked for a specific. I advised him it was 1600 State Street PAID due to the editorial the previous Sunday. Houston, Texas Houston, Texas 77007 Permit No. 7227 He stated, like most other people in Houston, “I have not read it.” The editorial appeared to have been prompted by the IAD findings – not the final determinant of culpability of the Homicide Division investigation – which brings me to my next point. Changes implemented by Chief McClelland following that investigation put managers on notice to closely monitor activities in their divisions. My fear is that this notice is going to lead some managers to begin using the Internal Affairs Division to correct policy and procedure problems instead of simply implementing changes and moving Non-profit Statement: Badge & Gun is published monthly at no subscription charge. forward. IAD is necessary to address serious issues like Send Correspondence and Address Changes (include mailing label) insubordination, untruthfulness and criminal conduct, but should To: BADGE & GUN 1600 State Street Houston, TX 77007. Telephone: 713-237-0282. Continues on Page 4A Page 1A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 1 4/23/14 7:27 PM HPOU Board of Directors Executive Board Ray Hunt Doug Griffith Joseph Gamaldi Will Reiser President 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President Secretary (281) 701-5428 (713) 501-4991 (832) 283-9492 (281) 923-1626 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Board Members J.G. Garza Gary Hicks Jeff Wagner Robert Breiding David Riggs Terry Wolfe Don Egdorf Bubba Caldwell Director 1 Director 2 Director 3 Director 4 Director 5 Director 6 Director 7 Director 8 (832) 875-1377 (832) 368-6283 (832) 512-8732 (713) 854-6391 (281) 387-8935 (832) 341-0165 (713) 240-6033 (281) 924-4498 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Joseph Castaneda Rebecca Dallas Rosalinda Ybanez Timothy Whitaker Luis Menedez-Sierra Robert Sandoval Stephen Augustine Tom Hayes Director 9 Director 10 Director 11 Director 12 Director 13 Director 14 Director 15 Director 16 (281) 795-5051 (832) 419-9589 (832) 293-1495 (832) 606-9502 (832) 513-5110 (281) 924-6369 (832) 677-0137 (281) 924-3015 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bill Booth Terry Seagler John Yencha Colton Pervil Director 17 Director 18 Director 19 Director 20 (281) 924-3016 (832) 494-8244 (832) 731-9361 (832) 291-9004 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mark Clark Executive Director Tim Butler Joslyn Johnson Randy Upton Cole Lester Dana Hitzman (832) 200-3434 Treasurer Parliamentarian Sergeant at Arms Assistant Secretary 2nd Assistant Secretary [email protected] (713) 204-4372 (832) 642-9899 (281) 352-6236 (281) 924-3003 (832) 731-7501 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Page 2A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 2 4/23/14 7:28 PM Editorial HPOU PAC’s Endorsement BADGE& GUN Voice of the Houston Police Officers’ Union Published monthly at no subscription charge in May 27 Runoff by the: THE HPOU PAC COMMITTEE HAS ISSUED A LIST of its endorsements in the May 27 runoff Houston Police Officers’ Union election. The PAC found that these runoff candidates can best represent the Union’s interests in 1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007 state politics and at the Courthouse. Ph: 832-200-3400 • Toll free: 1-800-846-1167 Fax: 832-200-3470 This is a reprint of last month’s endorsement listing for the convenience of HPOU members. E-mail: [email protected] Website address: www.HPOU.org Early voting in the runoff begins May 17 and lasts through May 23, four days before the actual runoff Legal Department: 832-200-3420 election. The PAC endorsements: Legal Dept Fax: 832-200-3426 Insurance: 832-200-3410 Lieutenant Governor Badge & Gun is the official publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union. Badge & Gun is Dan Patrick (R) published monthly under the supervision of its Board of Directors. However, opinions expressed by individual Board members or any other writer State Attorney General in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Board of Directors. Editorial Ken Paxton (R) submissions are welcomed and encouraged. All submissions must be received by the 7th of the month. State Agriculture Commissioner ADVERTISEMENT IN THE BADGE & Sid Miller (R) GUN DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, A WARRANTY OR A GUARANTEE BY THE UNION. State Representative, District 129 (Clear Lake area) POSTMASTER: Dennis Paul (R) Send address changes to Badge & Gun 1600 State Street State Representative, District 132 (Katy area) Houston, TX 77007 Fax: 832-200-3470 Mike Scofield (R) Judge, 247th District Court M. L. “Meca” Walker (R) Judge, 311th District Court Alicia Franklin (R) County Criminal Court at Law No. 10 Important Numbers Dan J. Spjut (R) ATO: 713-223-4ATO Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2 Badge & Gun: 832-200-3400 Laryssa Korduba (R) HPOU Offices: 832-200-3400 1-800-846-1167 Insurance Fax: 832-200-3470 Legal Services: 832-200-3420 Legal Fax: 832-200-3426 email: [email protected] www.hpou.org Page 3A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 3 4/23/14 7:28 PM Continues from Ray Page 1A If you would like a copy of the video or would like Steven to do the not be used to correct training or lack of supervision issues. presentation to 20 or so individuals in Houston, feel free to contact him at 713-308-3246. Anyone in the Houston Police Department can file an IAD complaint without anyone’s approval. I understand that this procedure is Thanks to all who came out for the presentation. necessary in any transparent organization. However, those complaints deemed to be training issues should be cleared information and sent to the captain of the division concerned to correct through appropriate training and education – and not IAD. Active Shooters This past month, the HPOU, in conjunction with HPD Public Affairs, sponsored an active shooter survival presentation for friends and family of Houston police officers. Steven Daniel, a senior community liaison for HPD, has taught over 13,000 Houston citizens about active shooter situations in schools, malls, churches and businesses. He did the presentation at the HPOU for our friends and family. The presentation was well received by all who attended. We even heard firsthand from a lady who survived the Red Elementary shooting in Houston on April 18, 1973. I would encourage each of you to share the YouTube video “Run Hide Fight” with your relatives and friends. It lasts around six minutes, but is an outstanding tool to prepare civilians on what to do in an active shooter situation. Page 4A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 4 4/23/14 7:28 PM Page 5A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 5 4/23/14 7:28 PM AN ‘AMIGO’ DEAL FOR YOUR SPORTS COLLECTIBLES! Tom Kennedy is a long-time Houston sports memorabilia dealer who doesn’t believe in HPD Officers paying retail. Here are some examples: ITEM PRICE ‘AMIGO’ PRICE Signed Duke Snider Ball $100 $75 Signed Biggio Ball 199 $165 Signed Bagwell Ball $149 $115 Signed Stan “The Man” Musial Ball $199 $135 Signed Yogi Berra Ball $95 $75 ALL SIGNED ITEMS COME WITH PSA DNA AUTHENTICATION! CALL TOM FOR SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS 713-825-2273 Tom Kennedy’s Collectibles (Since 1972) at Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas 9950 Hempstead Road (The Old Penney Location in Northwest Mall) Page 6A Badge & Gun • May 2014 BadgeGun May 2014 Issue.indd 6 4/23/14 7:28 PM Officer Lauro chosen Patrol Officer of Month Officer Kris Lauro responded to a Feb.