KHOU – by Doug MillerSomebody apparently took a shot at a Houston police officer overnight, leading anxious police union leaders to issue another warning and another call for a change in department policy.
Around 1:30 in the morning near the intersection of South Post Oak and West Bellfort, union leaders say, gunfire erupted from a car driving down South Post Oak near West Bellfort where an officer was working a routine traffic stop. The unidentified officer took cover inside his car, then heard two more shots, the union said.
Nobody was hurt, no suspects were arrested and investigating officers found no bullet holes on cars or nearby buildings. But the shooting prompted alarmed union leaders to repeat a warning issued earlier this month advising officers not to roll into dangerous situations alone.
“We can’t be sending officers into possible ambush situations,” said Ray Hunt, the president of the Houston Police Officers Union. “This is not something that we’re trying to do scare tactics. This morning proves that.”
The union renewed its call for Chief Charles McClelland to change department policy and allow all officers normally riding alone to ask for assignments to two man cars. The current policy allows division captains to make their own decisions about whether their officers are sent on the streets alone. The chief released a written statement indicating the policy wouldn’t change.
“I encourage everyone to lower the rhetoric and respect the role that police officers must perform while keeping our cities safe,’ the statement said. “I also expect our police officers to respect the constitutional rights of residents in our communities and to treat them with dignity and respect.”
Union leaders cited statements posted on social media encouraging a “massacre” of police officers on New Year’s Eve, including some posts by a young man they said lives in Texas City. Although the man took down his message after Texas City police contacted him, Hunt said, officers took the post seriously. Hunt pointed out that the man who shot two New York police officers earlier this month also posted warnings on social media sites.
Some of the demonstrators who helped organize recent marches in Houston said they believe the union is trying to shut down protests. Hunt denied that, saying he’s worried demonstrators might embolden “a nut case” who might attack an officer.
“We’re fearful,” Hunt said. “What’s going to happen if we end up getting in a shooting? I hope we don’t have a dead cop laying in a casket and us saying, ‘I wonder if that person hesitated because they didn’t want the media attention. They didn’t want to be relieved of duty. They didn’t want to quit their job like the Ferguson police officer had to quit his job.'”
“But the shooting prompted alarmed union leaders to repeat a warning issued earlier this month advising officers not to roll into dangerous situations alone.
“We can’t be sending officers into possible ambush situations,” said Ray Hunt, the president of the Houston Police Officers Union. “This is not something that we’re trying to do scare tactics. This morning proves that.””
Hmm…maybe someone ought to tell the president of the Officers Union that if they can’t handle dangerous situations alone then maybe they need better training at the police academy or maybe they shouldn’t be a cop if they are constantly “Fearing for their lives”. Don’t you think? What are our taxes paying them for?
PIGS!
Sounds like a police problem. And they love to brag they can handle it. So stand them out on the street and have them show every one how they can handle it. End of problem.
“routine traffic stop. The unidentified officer took cover inside his car”
routine. so he was killing a dog or raping a young woman?
ALSO-I hope everyone understands that a car passes bullets through it like water in your spaghetti strainer. Tires and rims…not so much. Plus why is my car a “motor vehicle” but a cops is a “car” in every report and statement?
“the shooting prompted alarmed union leaders to repeat a warning issued earlier this month advising officers not to roll into dangerous situations alone.”
That’s why you get paid a$$wipes. to go into dangerous situations. I bet 3 of 5 17year olds who play video games would be better first responder.
“I also expect our police officers to respect the constitutional rights of residents in our communities and to treat them with dignity and respect.”
I must have missed the part in the constitution where we are issued rights and I dont remember the dignity and respect requirements either.
“We’re fearful,” Hunt said.
wow a cop told the truth for once. Your god damned right your fearful. Every bully eventually gets their ass whooped. That or a sex change.
Well said Nottoobitter,
These damn cops are getting a taste of what happens when you murder innocent civilians while laughing about it later. Cops kill around three innocent a day I read somewhere. Number is probably more than that.
How about a policy of don’t come out your cave unless you get a call. like the firemen whom we all love. How about another one assuming people are traveling freely instead of working for corporations and don’t need a drivers license, insurance or registration. I get to go to court on the 26th and fight about this one. I’ll keep you all posted.
I wish you luck man.
I have been thinking about doing this as an expose video. All documented. How a DL is only needed if your conducting commerce on public land. Just not sure if I want to risk contact with murdering psychopaths.