Texas revokes local police force after arrest of mom for criticizing town’s dirty drinking water

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement issued a letter on September 9 to Trinidad, Texas Mayor Dennis Haws revoking the city’s license to operate a police department. The commission determined that the city’s police department had “failed to meet minimum standards.”

The decision followed an investigation last month that found the department was “unable to provide evidence that the agency provides public benefit to the community.”

Earlier this year, Trinidad resident Jennifer Combs was arrested and jailed on a felony charge of false alarm or report after making a Facebook post alleging that bacteria in the city’s water pipes had led to residents being hospitalized. Police argued that Combs’ post created “fear, panic, or unnecessary emergency response within a community.” However, the city had issued a notice to residents weeks before Combs’ arrest advising them to boil their water to avoid harmful bacteria.

According to FOX 4, police also arrested a citizen journalist on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge after he displayed a sign reading “f*ck bad cops” outside City Hall in support of Combs.

Trinidad Police Chief Charles Gregory, who defended Combs’ arrest and called the case “cut and dry,” later dropped the felony charges against her. Gregory resigned on June 19 despite telling the city council that he had “nothing to hide” regarding the arrests.

Furthermore, the judge who approved the search warrant used in Combs’ case later wrote a letter after Gregory’s resignation questioning the “accuracy, completeness, and reliability of information” presented by police.

The city has a population of just over 800 people. Its police department employed five full-time officers along with multiple part-time officers. Haws said he was not surprised by the commission’s decision to shut down the department, saying, "It was not a shock. I’m not gonna say that it was."

"There’s been a lot of neglect through the years," Haws told FOX 4.

The city will receive law enforcement support from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. Haws said he will seek a designated deputy from the sheriff’s office for the city.