Commissioners approve new jail liaison position amid public calls for accountability in jail deaths

TARRANT COUNTY — Tarrant County commissioners voted unanimously April 15 to approve a change to the Sheriff’s Office table of organization that creates a jail commission liaison position and repurposes two vacant corporal positions.

Sheriff’s executive chief Shannon Perkaz told the court the request did not eliminate currently filled positions; rather, it converted two vacant PCNs (position control numbers) to create a role to assist the new jail administrator and improve compliance with jail standards. “This position…will give me an opportunity to bring on…someone that understands the rules, regulations, and will help us take our operations to the next level,” Perkaz said.

But public comment during and after the item focused on a string of in-custody deaths and concerns about transparency, oversight and investigations. Multiple speakers urged fuller outside investigations, immediate release of video related to recent deaths, and stronger accountability for jail leadership. One public commenter urged the release of “the full video of the murder of Anthony Johnson Jr. now, and fire Bill Bayborn,” and several family members and advocates invoked multiple jail deaths when addressing the court.

Speakers also questioned whether the new liaison will materially improve detention operations or staffing shortages. “We are creating a new jail liaison position that will release 2 corporal positions, limiting advancement positions for our detention officers,” public speaker Nan Terry said, asking what specific problem the change would solve. Another public speaker said the county has paid for outside experts in the past to remedy jail problems and urged continued oversight.

Why it matters: The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for detainee health and safety; the county has seen multiple in-custody deaths in recent years, and families and advocates are pressing for outside investigations, release of records and footage, and administrative change.

What happened next: The court approved the requested table-of-organization change (I2) unanimously. The sheriff’s office said the two converted PCNs were vacant and the new role was intended to strengthen compliance and management oversight; the court recorded robust public comment demanding further accountability and transparency.