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When we talk about change, the thing I think about most is police accountability. Not all cops are bad, but getting rid of bad cops are hard. In SA, since 2010, roughly two-thirds of fired police officers get reinstated again after arbitration.
National headlines were made about Matthew Luckhurst, who won his job back after giving a homeless man a literal shit sandwich. https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/01/03/sapd-officer-who-gave-homeless-man-a-feces-sandwich-trying-to-win-back-job-for-a-second-time/
One police officer has been reinstated *five times* after getting fired. He has been appealing a sixth firing. https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/01/09/sapd-officer-fired-six-times-fighting-for-sixth-reinstatement/
Another officer is still on the force after challenging people he'd detain to fight him. https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/01/10/sapd-officer-had-an-unusual-offer-beat-him-in-a-fight-and-you-could-go-free/
How is this possible? Part of it is state law, and part of it is has to do with the local collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the city and the city's police union. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/01/06/explained-how-arbitration-plays-out-for-disciplined-police-officers-in-texas/
In San Antonio, there are a lot of barriers when it comes to officer discipline. There are limitations on the evidence the city can introduce, limitations on the accused officer's discipline history, not to mention limited civilian oversight. https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/01/10/5-protections-for-police-officers-accused-of-misconduct-in-san-antonio/
City Manager Erik Walsh has recognized these limitations and said he hopes the city will address them next time the CBA is up for negotiation. "I am hoping the police union will agree that these cases tarnish and impact the community’s confidence in our police department."
San Antonio is not alone in this, so many big cities operate similarly. If problematic police officers can be held accountable easier, we may be able to avoid more catastrophic consequences in the future. But it's on the people to be informed and to demand it.
