Public raises concerns about police chief; council moves to executive session citing personnel statute

Several residents used the public comment period at the April 21 Freeport City Council meeting to press the council about internal conduct and to criticize the police chief; later the council recessed to an executive session to deliberate personnel matters related to the police chief.

Nicole Mireles, identifying her address in Freeport, said she was "sick and tired" of turmoil among council members and urged elected officials to "hold yourself at a higher standard." Sam Reyna, also a resident, told the council he had spoken with several police officers who he said were "very dissatisfied" with the police chief and said, "If half of the police department are not satisfied with her job ... she needs to go." Kenneth Hayes and Reuben Renobato offered broader critiques of political tensions and the Civil Service Commission respectively.

Pam Dancy, identifying herself as a Freeport resident, defended the police chief and said the chief had repeatedly been thanked by councilmembers; Dancy said the chief's reputation was being harmed by what she called a "mysterious investigation" and asked for proof, adding the investigation was affecting the chief's character.

Later in the meeting, Mayor Cain closed the regular session and moved the council into executive session "regarding personal matters pursuant to section 551.074 to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the police chief," and to "discuss and take possible action to reverse the unauthorized suspension and investigation of Police Chief Howe by City Manager Lance Petty." Councilmen Pena and Davis were identified in the meeting as the members who brought those items to the agenda. The council left the matter for discussion in executive session; no formal disciplinary action was reported in open session.