Houston Police Officers under investigation

FBI IS WATCHING YOU HOUSTON PD

by WaTcHeR » 30 Apr 2010, Fri 3:01 pm

HOUSTON -- Not long after the teen, who says he's the one on the videotape, stepped in front of cameras and went public, the Houston Police Department also went public, identifying the eight officers who are off the job. That includes Officer Raad Hassan.

"You guys can talk to my union attorneys," Hassan said.

Hassan was leaving his Katy-area home Thursday night when ABC13 showed up. An HPD officer for 6 years, he's a member of the Westside gang unit. 

Seven officers from that unit, including supervisor Sgt. John McClellan, have been relieved of duty with pay after the alleged beating.

Chad Holley's mother says her son had a fractured nose, was bruised and limping when she picked him up from the Juvenile Detention Center last month.

"I got very upset when I saw how he was looking," Joyce Holley said, "And I said, 'Who did this to you?' and he said, 'The officers, the police did it.'"

The March 24 incident happened when Holley was arrested after a short chase on a burglary charge, and it was recorded by a surveillance camera at a self storage facility in southwest Houston. An employee of the storage business contacted activist Quanell X and showed him the video.

Activist Quanell X has a copy of the tape and says it shows officers, including one African American, kicking and stomping the high school sophomore after he had already given up.

"I was deeply disturbed," Mayor Annise Parker said.

Parker viewed the tape Thursday morning and says she saw an inappropriate use of force.

"When you stop and clearly indicate that you are not resisting, that you are no longer trying to escape, no one should be beaten for that," she said.

At the news conference, the 16-year-old did not speak because of the pending criminal charge against him. His mother wants the videotape released.

"Let everybody see what they did to my son," she said.

Like Officer Hassan, a man at Officer Andrew Blomberg's house wearing a T-shirt bearing his name had nothing to say.

"No thanks" was all he said.

So far, the officers been have been only disciplined. Quanell X wants indictments.

Eyewitness News has filed an open records request for the Houston Police Department to release the video which reportedly shows eight officers beating that handcuffed suspect back in March. The accused officers are:

With the Westside Gang Unit:

Sgt. John W. McClellan - sworn in May 1972
Ofc Raad M. Hassan - sworn in Dec 2003
Ofc Waleed M. Hassan - sworn in May 2001
Ofc Philip N. Bryan - sworn in Dec 1990
Ofc Drew W. Ryser - sworn in Feb 2007
Ofc Andrew T. Blomberg - sworn in Feb 2007
Ofc Gaudencio Saucedo - sworn in April 2002

With the Westside Tactical Unit:

Sr. Ofc Lewis M. Childress - sworn in July 1988

Quanell X says the teen's family has filed complaints with HPD's internal affairs division against those officers.

Once HPD finishes its investigation, it will turn over everything to the feds. The FBI will review that information and decide whether federal civil rights violation charges should be filed.

Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos said in a statement that the DA's office also "is conducting an independent investigation into the incident involving the suspension of eight officers. Houston Police Department officials notified us immediately upon their receipt and viewing of the video tape involved and have cooperated fully in the investigation."

But while they're all off the job, Mayor Parker says not all of them had the same level of involvement in the alleged beating, and not all will be the target of a criminal investigation.

However, ABC13 looked back through internal affairs records of sustained complaints, where the department took action against the accused officers.

The records available are only through 2007. They show McClellan has 10 sustained complaints, five of which were for misconduct. The first one was from 1978.

Officer Bryan has had six complaints, and two were for conduct and behavior and misconduct.

Three other officers also had sustained complaints, but they were for things like being at fault in an accident, or improper police procedure.

The records only show sustained complaints; the number of those filed and investigated weren't released.

The FBI is closely watching how HPD proceeds with this investigation. The FBI has opened a case on this. 


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7414780

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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by WaTcHeR » 23 Jun 2010, Wed 4:01 pm

HOUSTON -- A grand jury has handed down indictments on four Houston police officers for their part in the alleged beating of an unarmed teenage burglary suspect. 

The grand jury Wednesday reportedly indicted four of the eight HPD officers allegedly involved. Sources say the following HPD officers have been indicted: Raad Hassan, Andrew Blomberg, Philip Bryan and Drew Ryser. 

Attorney Dick DeGuerin, who represents Officer Blomberg, says his client is charged with offical oppression, which is a misdemeanor. We also spoke with attorney Aaron Suder who says his client, Officer Bryan, was indicted on official oppression and a civil rights violation. 

There could be action against the other officers, if not a criminal case, then possible termination or suspension, but that has not been confirmed. 

In the past month, the jurors have seen unreleased surveillance video of the alleged attack and heard from high-profile witnesses including Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and 16-year-old suspect Chad Holley. 

The grand jury proceedings are kept secret, but we do know that Holley testified before the grand jury on Monday. Holley, who was 15 at the time of the incident, claims the officers beat him outside a storage facility in southwest Houston back in March. The unreleased surveillance video from the facility allegedly shows the beating. 


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7515509

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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by WaTcHeR » 23 Jun 2010, Wed 4:05 pm

HOUSTON -- Eyewitness News has learned all four of the Houston police officers indicted in the beating of an unarmed teenage burglary suspect posted bond on Thursday. We've also learned more details about the alleged beating. 

Those four HPD officers were indicted Wednesday on misdemeanor charges by a grand jury. Jurors viewed the unreleased surveillance video of the alleged attack and heard from high-profile witnesses, including Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and 16-year-old suspect Chad Holley, who claims the officers beat him outside a storage facility in southwest Houston back in March. 

The four officers did not make a court appearance on Thursday while posting bond. According to KTRK Legal Analyst Joel Androphy, unlike a felony charge, you don't have to appear or report in person to post bond on a misdemeanor charge. Androphy says defendants can do it through a bond company, for instance. 

Even though the officers are facing misdemeanor charges of official oppression, the four officers will be tried in felony court because of their status as public officials. 

The only court date that has been set so far is for Officer Raad Hassan, 40, who's facing charges of official oppression and violation of civil rights of a person in custody. His case is set for July 23. 

New details of alleged beating 

Court documents released Thursday provide some details of the alleged beating of Holley, who was 15 at the time. 

According to the documents, Officer Hassan "kicked Holley with his foot while knowing that his conduct was unlawful." Officer Andrew Blomberg is accused of "striking the complainant with his foot." Officer Phillip Bryan is accused of kicking the teenager and striking him with his hand, while Officer Drew Ryser kneed Holley, according to the documents. 

All four indicted officers have been terminated, as have three other police officers for their involvement. Five more officers were disciplined for policy violations unrelated to the arrest of Holley, according to Chief McClelland. Those five officers received two-day suspensions and will undergo refresher training. 

Like Officer Hassan, Officer Bryan, 44, is charged with official oppression and violation of civil rights of a person in custody. Officers Blomberg, 27, and Ryser, 29, are charged with official oppression. All face up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted on the misdemeanor charges. 

Outrage over unreleased videotape 

The calls for more serious charges against the now former officers are only getting louder, and the district attorney's refusal to make the video public is sparking serious outrage and concern. 

It was a show of solidarity Thursday from the Houston Ministers Against Crime. At a press conference, members of the organization demanded to see the videotape of the alleged beating. 

"We need to see that tape. It must be something that's really bad. The suspicion is growing. If it's just a misdemeanor, let us see it," said Reverend Robert Jefferson. 

The ministers are calling on the Harris County District Attorney's Office to end what they say is a "good old boy" system. They believe the Harris County grand jury system is broken and is in desperate need of an overhaul. 

"Our problem for years has been that the grand jury does not represent the makeup of this city as far as blacks are concerned. We've got a problem with that," said Reverend James Nash. 

They say the indictments don't go far enough. The group is demanding that misdemeanor charges against the four officers be upgraded to felonies. 

Though he understands their frustration, Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland says it would require a change in state law. 

As for the videotape, Chief McClelland believes making sure the officers get a fair trial outweighs public interest. 

"Are we going to lose anything that the videotape will be shown at trial versus right now? No. The public will still be able to criticize, judge, evaluate my actions, the DA's actions, and the grand jury's actions," said Chief McClelland. 

The DA wants to wait until the case goes to trial before making the tape public so the indicted officers can get a fair trial. And Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued a veiled threat Wednesday against anyone who would leak the video to the public.

"Anyone who has an unauthorized copy of that has stolen property, in my opinion," Mayor Parker said. 

Ultimately, the ministers say this is not a black and white issue, and that anyone who's concerned about justice should be concerned about what the grand jury did. 

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7517965

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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by WaTcHeR » 25 Jun 2010, Fri 3:47 pm

HOUSTON -- The four Houston police officers indicted and fired after accusations of beating a teenager during an arrest are out on bond. Now, we're hearing from the teen at the center of this case. 

Eyewitness News Reporter Jessica Willey spoke exclusively with the teen and his mother, Joyce Holley. 

Chad Holley is scheduled for an appearance at the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center on July 1 to face the burglary charge that sparked the alleged beating. That's the focus for him now, and it's also why what he's saying about that charge is limited. 

Holley, 16, just wants to be a normal teenager again. 

"I'm trying to get a job, start working," he said. 

Instead, he's spending his summer at the center of a firestorm. 

"Crazy," he added. 

And what happened Wednesday inside a Harris County grand jury room hasn't helped his perception of police officers. 

"I feel scared, like they're going to mess with me or something," Holley said. 

Four officers now face misdemeanor charges of official oppression for their roles on March 23 when they were caught on tape outside a southwest Houston self storage lot allegedly beating Holley during his arrest for a house burglary. The Harris County District Attorney has explained what the officers are accused of doing doesn't rise to the level of aggravated assault. 

Now ask him. 

"Do you think you were assaulted?" Willey asked Holley. 

"Yes, ma'am," he replied. 

In fact, court documents on the four officers say they kicked struck and kneed the teen. 

"Sounds like assault in black and white," said his attorney Wilvin Carter. 

Chad Holley spent a day in the hospital with injuries to his head and ear. His mother is baffled the charges aren't more serious. 


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7518811

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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by WaTcHeR » 25 Jun 2010, Fri 3:53 pm

I wonder how bad the video is? You know it must be when the police want to hold off releasing the video to the public. 

Misdemeanor charges I still can't get over it. I wonder if the video will show the kid was complying with the officer, oh wait he was on the ground handcuffed. 

I wonder if it's only a misdemeanor to kick and hit grand jury members? I wait for the video and see what they saw. I like to read the police reports the officers did after the incident and when they knew of the video?

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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by WaTcHeR » 08 Jul 2010, Thu 7:14 pm

HOUSTON -- A teenager and his mother have filed a civil lawsuit against a Houston police officer accused of beating him during a burglary arrest. 

In the lawsuit filed in Harris County on Tuesday, Chad Holley, 16, and his mother, Joyce Holley, allege excessive force by Houston police officer Andrew Blomberg resulting in massive injuries to the teen. 

The alleged beating of an unarmed Holley, who was 15 at the time, by seven officers was captured on surveillance video from a self-storage business on March 23, but the footage has not yet been released to the public. 

The lawsuit reads in part, "Chad had clearly and unmistakenly surrendered to police custody, and as he lay belly down on the ground, defendant Blomberg stomped down on the back of Chad's head and neck with incredible force. 

"As a result of Blomberg's excessive and unreasonable use of force against this minor, Chad has sustained head, neck and brain injuries. Medical records shortly after the event reveal that Chad sustained grave injuries to his head, eyes, brain and face, as well as experienced associated systems of loss of consciousness and memory impairment." 

The lawsuit states that Holley also suffered a concussion, post-concussion syndromes and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

It goes on to say that Holley is undergoing psychological and psychiatric care and that his mother has incurred the burden of having to pay for the increased medical bills. For that reason, the lawsuit seeks damages totaling between $1 and 10 million, asks for financial relief of medical care for Holley until the age of 21, and recovery of attorney's fees and costs of court. 

Blomberg and three other Houston police officers were fired for the alleged beating and indicted by a grand jury on charges of official oppression. In addition to those four officers, three more HPD officers were also terminated over the incident. All seven officers are appealing their indefinite suspensions. 

Just last week, Eyewitness News obtained the disciplinary letters sent from Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland to the seven officers. 

The four indicted officers face up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted on the misdemeanor charges. 




http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7543550

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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Re: Houston Police Caught on Tape Beating Handcuffed Teen

by WaTcHeR » 24 Aug 2010, Tue 4:53 pm

Suspensions dismissed for 5 officers in teen beating

HOUSTON -- There's a new development today regarding five Houston police officers involved in the alleged beating of a teenager. They may not have to serve their suspensions. 

Lawyers at the Houston Police Officers' Union got what they wanted for their clients -- the reduction of discipline, which means the officers' records remain in good standing.

The alleged beating of then-15-year-old Chad Holley is at the center of the action. Holley claims Houston police officers kicked and hit him enough to send him to the hospital.

Holley was unarmed, but a burglary suspect when the alleged beating took place back in March. The incident was recorded by surveillance cameras and seven officers were terminated. Four of the officers were indicted and charged with misdemeanor official oppression. They're set to appear in court again in September.

Thursday's civil grievance hearing involved five other Houston police officers who originally were given two days' suspension -- a reprimand that the union says was unfair.

"These officers did not witness the arrest of Chad Holley; they had nothing to do with the arrest of Chad Holley," said Aaron Suder, a lawyer for the union. "They happened to be at the scene, chasing and struggling and subduing several other burglary suspects while this arrest of Chad Holley was taking place."

The officers involved in the grievance hearing were M. Novak, R. Opperman, L. Vaughn, R. Abel and K. Cockrill. Their punishments were reduced from a two-day suspension to a written reprimand.

Lawyers for Holley's family wouldn't comment, saying the action doesn't interfere with their federal civil rights lawsuit filed against two of the officers that were terminated.

The federal lawsuit accuses Andrew Blomberg of violating Holley's civil rights and of beating Holley during his arrest in March. The suit claims Holley suffered brain damage, memory loss and post traumatic stress disorder.

A spokesperson for HPD responded to us Saturday, telling us that the decision to downgrade the disciplinary actions was made by an independent arbitrator. The spokesperson confirmed that the five previously suspended officers will be given written reprimands instead.

HPD Chief Charles McClelland, who originally handed down the two-day suspensions, wanted to make clear that he had nothing to do with the ruling and neither he nor the administration can appeal the decision, said the spokesperson. 





http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7621164

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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Re: FBI IS WATCHING YOU HOUSTON PD

by WaTcHeR » 04 Feb 2011, Fri 9:24 pm

WaTcHeR wrote:
The FBI is closely watching how HPD proceeds with this investigation. The FBI has opened a case on this. 

They're not kidding. http://www.policecrimes.com/visitors/dhs020411.php.htm You will have to scroll down the page after you click the link.

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."

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Re: Houston Police Officers Kicking Beating Handcuffed Teen

by WaTcHeR » 21 Feb 2011, Mon 5:57 pm

An arbitrator upheld the firing of Senior Police Officer Phil Bryan. The arbitrator said Bryan kicked Holley several times in his head and shoulders, then delivered several punches to his side. The arbitrator called Bryan's force excessive and unnecessary.

HPD disciplined 12 officers in the Holley case. Seven officers had their discipline reduced in the appeal process. 


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?secti ... id=7931367

"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.

"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."

"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."