Editor's note: The following is the text of a memo from El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen to City Manager Joyce Wilson. For background on the issue being discussed in the memo, click here.
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TO: Joyce Wilson, City Manager
FROM: Greg Allen, Chief of Police
RE: Update on Chico’s Tacos Issues
DATE: July 14, 2009
_______________________________________________________________
The following is an update on various issues relating to the events that occurred on or about June 29, 2009, at the Chico’s Tacos restaurant in East El Paso:
(1) As you know, I have publicly acknowledged that prior statements made by various employees of the El Paso Police Department to the media regarding the application of the law on public accommodation and discrimination were incorrect recitations of such laws. A formal public statement was issued regarding such was issued on July 9, 2009.
(2) On or about July 8, 2009, the Internal Affairs Division of the police department initiated an investigation into the events at Chico’s Tacos and is presently ongoing. This investigation will be reviewed by City Attorney’s Office upon completion.
* As the Chief of Police, I recognize the importance of thorough, fair and effective investigations of allegations police misconduct and the need to forge a closer working relationship between the El Paso Police Department and the community. I therefore, am in the process of civilianizing the management of the Internal Affairs Division. Further, I have established civilian oversight on all officer-involved shootings by placing a Deputy City Manager on the Shooting Review Board.
(3) Training has become an issue with regards to the allegations of discrimination by the police department. First and foremost, the police department does not discriminate against anyone when enforcing the law. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) mandates that every police officer take 8 hours of classroom instruction on cultural diversity, which includes sensitivity training on human
diversity (i.e., age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). TCLEOSE requires that such instruction be taught every two years.
* On the off years, the department provides in-service training on this issue. Based on the recent events, the training academy will be exploring additional options on sensitivity training from groups outside the police department. Such training will cover issues related to all protected groups.
* Additionally, specific training on the City Ordinance that declares discrimination in places of public accommodation will be conducted at all roll-call over the next few weeks.
(4) My training philosophy is different from prior administrations. The training of prior administrations focused on theory of law only. I plan to incorporate more scenario-based training with classroom training for all officers. Simply stated, my goal is to meld theory with application to create a better skilled law enforcement official. To obtain this goal, I have done the following:
* Change in training academy personnel. I have removed civilian supervisors and replaced them with uniform supervisors to accomplish my goal of melding theory with application to create a better skilled officer.
* Change in the teaching mechanism to incorporate theory with scenario-based training.
* Continual updating of all class outlines and topics to reflect changes in the law.
* Seek training opportunities from professional groups to augment the training provided by the police academy.
