OPINION: Houston Police Officers’ Union Pushes Back on Houston Chronicle’s Narrative
The Houston Police Officers’ Union has always had a good working relationship with the media for the most part. As president, I have always been open and available to speaking with the media on any topic, good, bad, or indifferent. I am a very proud Houston Police Officer and believe that we have the best department in the nation! I also understand that we are not always perfect and will readily admit if or when we make a mistake. I have done this before with the SL Code cases, and other instances in the department. I believe that this is what gives the HPOU credibility within the community.
In the last few weeks, the Houston Chronicle has printed several stories about the immigrant mother whose “autistic” son was taken and placed with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ACF – ORR), or by Chronicle standards, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Several of these articles were crafted by the Editorial Board and not regular investigative reporters. Not only are these articles misleading, but the reports are crafted to produce an emotional outcome. The comments in the story are opinion based, as it does not have to be factual, just in the public mind.
The Chronicle has worked hard to make the public believe that the 15-year-old autistic migrant child was ripped from his mothers’ arms and placed into federal custody at the hands of incompetent police officers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Several of the Chronicle articles had headlines disparaging HPD like “Houston Police fractured a loving family”. Other articles had comments stating, “botched police investigation.” “Police fail at their most basic duty of protecting Houston Families”, and “the story is more about incompetence than malice,”. Each of these editorials disparage the great work of the officers of the Houston Police Department.
Have any of the editorial board writers or journalist reached out to the HPOU for comment? NO, because I do not believe that it would not fit their narrative. The department may not comment on current investigations, but the HPOU will. The body worn camera videos and reports generated the day Emannuel was found were provided to city council and many of them stated that the officers did a great job given the circumstances.
It is important to know that Emannuel told officers that he was homeless and from another country. Officers did what policy dictates and contacted Child Protective Services and followed their direction. Officers were told to contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement and they did. The officers were advised to take the child to the Office of Refugee Resettlement as they match unaccompanied children with their families. That is exactly what happened and thank God it did. The child then had a medical emergency that his mother may not have been able to handle.
In at least four Chronicle news articles the headlines stated that Emannuel was autistic. This is not a factual statement, and the editorial board later pivoted by saying, “Though not diagnosed” his school records show he has learning disabilities. So now it is unclear to what extent or how severe Emmanuels issues are. It should be noted that Emannuel had conversations with firefighters and officers at the scene and according to Chronicle reporting, long conversations with his mother over the phone. It appears that he has the ability to understand what he was saying and what he told officers.
The editorial board blames HPD for failing to connect two different names. I know in their world they can Google and get different variations of different names. The department computers do not have that same ability. The officers who were called to help Emannuel did everything possible to help him. The editorial board running a headline of “Houston police called ICE on missing teen. Then they blamed his mom” is, in my opinion, inaccurate and inflammatory. In this editorial they insinuate that we blamed the mother, with the only evidence provided being Chief Diaz’s account of the incident at city hall.
The editorial board also stated that they found a complicated story, “one that reveals a botched police investigation and startling gaps that failed a child.” This is another claim that cannot be supported by facts only insinuations, as far as I can tell. Thanks to the officers, the child was safe and protected during this entire incident even to the point of receiving medical care.
These little hit articles by the Chronicle and the Editorial Board, do more damage to the community because of the accusations and fear that they spread. This is especially true right now in the immigrant community. HPD is dedicated to the safety and security of all Houston residents. It is for this reason that the Houston Police Officers’ Union will no longer provide statements to the Houston Chronicle, until a formal apology is printed to the HPD and its officers.
Until then, no further comments will come from the HPOU! Our officers and the citizens of Houston deserve to have a newspaper that prints only on facts, not politics and opinions!
By Douglas Griffith, Houston Police Officers’ Union, President
