The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has ordered the Trinidad Police Department shut down effective Friday, Sept. 18, after finding the five-officer force failed to meet minimum standards and could not show it provided a public benefit.
Trinidad is a town of about 860 people about 70 miles southeast of Dallas in Henderson County. The Dallas Morning News reports law-enforcement duties shift to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office until a longer-term plan is set. TCOLE’s letter last week revoked the department’s authority to appoint officers. Inspectors said the agency lacked enough bulletproof vests and a proper evidence room.
The probe followed the May arrest of Jennifer Combs after a Facebook post criticizing city tap water. She said some residents had been hospitalized because of bacteria. Charges were later dropped. Residents have long said the water comes out yellow, red or brown. Combs has filed a federal lawsuit alleging political retaliation. Mayor Dennis Haws called the state’s decision “not a surprise.” The city council meets Friday and may consider an appeal.
FOX 4 reports TCOLE found 18 required policies missing, including use of force, vehicle pursuits, professional conduct and active-shooter response. A Henderson County grand jury declined to indict Combs.
In August the district attorney’s office stopped taking the department’s cases. Interim Chief Cameron Beckham told the council Tuesday that previous leadership was to blame and that many problems have been fixed. A Texas Rangers investigation into the department remains open.
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