Houston Mayor John Whitmire has announced the appointment of an independent panel to review the Houston Police Department's handling of suspended cases. The decision aims to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in the wake of recent developments within the department.
"I trust and believe Police Chief Troy Finner is doing the best he can to manage the internal investigation, get to the bottom of it, and hold people accountable," Mayor Whitmire stated, expressing his confidence in the ongoing efforts within the department.
Regarding the independent panel, Mayor Whitmire emphasized, "The independent panel will be people I also trust to review and validate the outcome and help bring closure to the victims." The mayor plans to disclose the names of the individuals who have agreed to serve on the panel in the near future.
Police Chief Finner confirmed that the Houston Police Department is currently reviewing 264,000 incident reports that were suspended using an internal HPD code due to a lack of personnel. In response, additional investigators have been assigned to review these reports and reach out to the victims affected by the suspensions.
"I am deeply concerned about how and why this happened. The public wants answers and accountability. This process of appointing an independent panel will validate the investigation's integrity," Mayor Whitmire reiterated, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the situation.
The initiative to establish an independent panel reflects a commitment to addressing the concerns surrounding the suspended cases and ensuring a thorough and impartial review of the circumstances.
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