Thread by @BFriedmanDC

Good piece from @KelliSmithNews evaluating Dallas police chief Eddie Garcia's first year in the role. But I also want to elaborate on one of the things he says 🧵
dallasnews.com/news/2022/02/0…

One of Chief Garcia's quotes is a response to a question I asked about whether he intended to honor Police Oversight Board recommendations regarding the discipline of DPD officers. And if not, why not? The Board chairman read the question aloud. Here's how Chief Garcia responded:

Here's the full transcript. On one hand, he has a point: The city council hired him to do a job. He should be allowed to do it. But my problem comes down to this: "If I don’t agree in the recommendation, I’m not gonna do it."

I recently listened to one of the disciplinary hearings he mentioned. It was disappointing. It certainly wasn't up to a standard I'd expect. So there needs to be an outside body with more control over officer discipline. "If I don't agree ... I'm not gonna do it" doesn't cut it.

Chief Garcia has done better than his predecessor. In fact, last week he fired an officer for beating a man in Deep Ellum.

But if the approach remains "If I don't agree ... I'm not gonna do it," then the Oversight Board and City Council will need to keep a tight rein on DPD.

I appreciate Chief Garcia's willingness to take charge of disciplining his officers. But we've seen too many cities where the department itself dictates what is and isn't brutality and abuse. As long as I'm on the Police Oversight Board, we will work to ensure Dallas is not one.