The Houston Police Department has banned a firearm linked to several misfire cases around the country that is used by around a quarter of the agency’s officers.
We held a press conference requesting Officer Devin Ortiz be terminated, after HPD hired Ortiz while he was under investigation with the Harris County Sheriff Department for several use of force cases, including beating a handcuffed female inmate.
Officer Ortiz was hired on the heels of Former HPD Officer Gerald Goines who was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the deaths of Rhogena and Dennis Tuttle in a botched drug raid. Despite Ortiz being terminated we are still requesting:
1) An investigation into All officers recruited by the HPD recruiter who recruited Officer Ortiz.
2) Did the HPD recruiter do a proper background check on officer Ortiz according to HPD recruiting policy protocols?
3) Did the HPD recruiter review officer Ortiz personnel files with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, according to TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT (TCOLE)?
According to TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, it is the hiring Agency responsible to review new hires personnel files with their prior agency.
Had the HPD recruiter reviewed officer Ortiz personnel files at Harris County Sheriff’s Department, according to news reports Ortiz had several use of force complaints and was recommended for termination following an use of force incident on video.
4) We are requesting a Federal Civil Rights Investigation Excessive Use of Force against a handcuffed female inmate in the Harris County jail.
5) We are planning to close the loophole that allows dangerous officers like Officer Ortiz to hop from law enforcement to another by resigning, while under investigation to avoid being terminated, as Officer Ortiz.
Our plan is to work with a Texas Representative to file a Bill in January, since it’s the beginning of the new Texas Legislation Session to avoid Officers from resigning while under investigation.
