IT’S TIME FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT! The 2021 Benefits Fair for the Houston Police Officers’ Union will be Friday, March 26 at 8 am to 6 pm in the Meeting Hall. There will also be First Responder Benefit Trust representatives visiting stations and facilities during the City of Houston open enrollment period. You can also bookRead more
It has been a very busy couple of weeks here at the HPOU. We, like most of you, were surprised at the announcement that Chief Acevedo was taking the chiefs job in Miami.
With the quick announcement came a lot of questions and speculation. I have spoken with Chief Acevedo and he told me that this was a move that he did not expect, but after being offered the job and speaking with his wife felt that it would be good for the family.
I want to thank Chief Acevedo for his dedication to the City of Houston and its citizens. I know we did not always agree on issues or decisions, but I have a lot of respect for him as an individual and how he was never afraid to address tough issues.
Now for the next chapter of the Houston Police Department under our new chief, Troy Finner.
I first met
I hope everyone made it through “snow-pacalypse” 2021. I know many of you are dealing with damage caused by the winter storm that hit us last week and our prayers are with you.
We were truly blessed here at the HPOU as we try to stay prepared for emergency events. Sunday evening, I was working the GRB warming center when Bobby Kessler contacted me regarding the ability to open the Union hall to give officers a warm place to come during the cold weather. We agreed to get as much food and snacks as possible before the stores closed.
Upon leaving the GRB, I immediately went to the Union and met with Bobby,who had obtained an entire truckload of supplies. We then opened the Union hall and provided snacks and drinks the first night.
We continued to operate the Union around the
Most of you know me and know that I have been a proactive officer my entire career. This is the first time I have ever felt that we could be seeing the death of proactive policing.
Like most of you, I was astounded by the indictment of Officer Gallegos for Murder relating to the Harding Street raid from Jan. 28, 2019. Make no mistake about it, this is nothing more than TV justice for this district attorney.
I find it a little odd that she would bring this charge three days before the time limit for the family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. I also find it suspect that the attorney for the family is the same attorney that DA Ogg hired to work on the Arkima case, which was another case she filed for political reasons – and lost!
As I stated in my press conference, Officer Galleg
Happy New Year!
We can all agree that 2020 was a very stressful year. It all started with COVID 19, a virus that drastically changed all our lives. The political climate was high, as riots broke out, police reform was put at the forefront, and we sadly lost many of our brothers.
But as bad as it was, the rank and file of the Houston Police Department proved again why we are the best police department in the nation. Just like Hurricane Harvey, every officer went to work and did everything possible to keep the City of Houston from burning like other cities. We stayed Houston Strong!
The restraint and professionalism our officers demonstrated was very impressive. I received calls from other police unions around the nation praising our department for how we performed under pressure. I
Looking back over my time with the Union it is evident that I have worked with some really great leaders. As an HPOU board member, I had the good fortune to work with Gary Blankinship and J. J. Berry, who were class guys and taught me a lot about what a union should be and how it should function.
After taking J. J.’s place as 1st vice president in 2012, I had the honor of working with Ray Hunt and Joe Gamaldi, both of whom have been exceptional leaders for our great organization, and individuals that I am proud to call friends.
As most of you know, Joe worked very hard and burned a lot of time to prepare for the sergeant’s exam. In what should not be a surprise to anyone that he ended up number one on the list.
I am so very proud of his hard work and dedication to t