Almost two years ago, KHOU-11’s Jeremy Rogalski reported that HPD was having trouble getting its officers the equipment and training they needed to perform their duties properly, especially investigations:
“It’s just terrible,” said Sam, one recent HPD accident investigator, who wished to remain anonymous. “If we ask for equipment they say well you didn’t have it last year, why do you need it this year?”
And so Sam says officers are forced to dip into their own pockets to buy cameras, measuring wheels, even laptop computers that work because the city-issued gear often doesn’t.
“We’re just not in a position right now to buy everything that we need,” said Police Chief Harold Hurtt, who took the job in March.
Fast forward two years, and the same problems are still plaguing HPD. This time, KHOU’s Jeff McShan reports:
When Sergio Gonzales’ tow truck slammed into a vehicle killing Leon Roberson and his wife Maureen two weeks ago, many believed it was just a matter of time before Gonzales would be charged with a crime, especially after witnesses said he was going 90 mph down Wallisville just before impact.
But 11 News found we may never know exactly what happened that night, because the detailed report taken by HPD’s accident division wasn’t so detailed.
Warren Diepramm is a veteran prosecutor for Harris County.
“You’ve got understaffed people with outdated equipment trying to do an investigation that is in many ways much more complex than a murder scene,” said Diepramm.
He says they need training and they are not getting it.
“They need help. They need support. I mean there are so many victims out there of violent crimes involving motor vehicles where the perpetrator just gets away with it,” Diepramm said.
Regarding the Gonzales case, a blood sample taken from him for testing disappeared for several days. Reportedly it was just found and finally taken to the DPS crime lab, but that is unconfirmed.
What about the photographs taken at the scene by investigators? The camera didn’t work. No photos are available, which are critical for the investigation.
[snip]
We learned that in five recent fatal traffic accidents, no photos are available. The 35mm point-and-shoot cameras that cost less than $50 apparently didn’t work at those scenes either.
The linked video of Jeff McShan’s story has more details than the online story does, including quotes from Mayor White and HPD spokesman Dwayne Ready.
HPD is faced with numerous challenges right now; having malfunctioning equipment should not be one of them. Let’s hope KHOU’s continued digging helps get Houston’s police officers the tools they need to do their jobs, and keep people who commit crimes off the streets.
UPDATE: KPRC-2 reports that the DA’s office has assembled its own “vehicular accident assault team to help gather evidence. Officials said it was necessary after coming up short or with the wrong evidence too many times.”
