Activists in Houston are calling for answers after a former Harris County Jail detention officer, who was accused of violence against inmates, was hired by the Houston Police Department.
Houston activists are questioning why an HPD officer is still employed after a video surfaced showing him slamming a female inmate to the ground. A group of local activists are questioning why an officer at the Houston Police Department is still employed after a video surfaced showing him slamming a female inmate to the ground during his time working in the jail.
According to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records, Deven Ortiz worked as a detention officer at the Harris County Jail for 25 months. In that time, the sheriff's office said in a statement that he was the subject of 'multiple Internal Affairs investigations,' and their disciplinary board recommended termination. Instead, he resigned in April 2024. One of the incidents he was involved in was captured on video inside the jail, showing him pushing a handcuffed female inmate against the wall, throwing her to the ground, yanking her off the ground, and repeating it again. The sheriff's office said it happened on Jan. 17, 2024, while he took the inmate to court. In the same month that Ortiz resigned, he entered the Houston Police Academy and graduated as a probationary officer in November. 'We do not need the Harris County Jail and all the violence there coming out onto the streets of Houston,' civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen said. Kallinen was among activists who gathered outside City Hall Thursday morning to voice their concerns. 'Being a police officer is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, but y'all are willing to let this dangerous officer work side by side good officers, putting other officers' lives in danger?' former HPD officer Kathy Swilley said. HPD said Ortiz is on administrative duty while they investigate the incident seen in the video and determine what he disclosed in his application. 'Why is this officer still on the payroll and being paid by taxpayers?' Tammie Lang Campbell, the Honey Brown Hope Foundation founder, asked. 'Why? You got the video'
LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICE BRUTALITY CIVIL RIGHTS HPD HARRIS COUNTY JAIL
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Houston police officer shoots teen after he allegedly shot at officer during chasePolice say the suspect, believed to be as young as 15 or 16 years old, was running away from officers when he shot at them following a suspected drug deal in northeast Houston.
Read more »
New Houston police officer under investigation over use of force incident as detention officerThe video shows a detention officer forcing a female inmate against the wall before slamming her to the ground and holding her down.
Read more »
Iranian activist, Nobel prize winner Mohammadi released from jail for medical treatmentHuman rights activist Narges Mohammadi, who is imprisoned in Iran on charges including spreading propaganda, had her jail term suspended to undergo medical treatment.
Read more »
Fort Worth Police Officer Fired After Arresting ActivistA Fort Worth police officer was terminated after a six-month investigation into his use of force during the arrest of a 61-year-old activist who was livestreaming the incident.
Read more »
Police investigating man’s death after he drove car into Houston bayouOfficials in Houston are investigating the circumstances of a fatal car crash in Houston last week.
Read more »
Houston Mayor John Whitmire names new Houston Public Works directorMayor John Whitmire has named the new director of Houston Public Works (HPW).
Read more »