SW Houston News

In an effort to ensure transparency and prioritize the victims of reported crimes, Mayor John Whitmire of Houston has appointed a group of individuals to form the Independent Review Committee. The committee's main focus will be to assess the Houston Police Department's handling and resolution of suspended incident reports dating back to 2016.

Mayor Whitmire emphasized the diverse expertise of the committee members, stating, "The Independent Review Committee members represent a cross-section of the experience, credibility, and representation of individuals across the City of Houston." He further directed the committee to promptly start analyzing the collected data to identify trends, patterns, and discrepancies in the handling and closing incident reports.

The Committee, chaired by Ellen Cohen, includes individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement, public service, and community advocacy. Mayor Whitmire highlighted the Committee's commitment to ensuring accuracy and completeness in their assessment by stating, "The Committee will verify the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained from HPD by comparing it to independent sources where available and appropriate."

Mayor Whitmire underscored the importance of accountability, stating, "The Committee will be accountable to me, and ultimately to all Houstonians who deserve a police department they can trust." He expressed his determination to address any mishandling of incident reports, ensuring that every reported crime is thoroughly investigated without being overlooked.

Through the establishment of the Independent Review Committee, Mayor Whitmire aims to restore public trust in the Houston Police Department and provide reassurance to the community that reported incidents will be taken seriously.