Teague Police Chief Letter to Freestone County Judge

Dear Judge Grant,

I am writing to formally express serious concerns regarding recent practices within the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office that are adversely impacting public safety. There have been troubling events with the Sheriff’s Office refusing to process arrestees for various criminal offenses–even when valid warrants are in place. There has been signage placed at the jail and in the communications office requiring area agencies to call to ensure the jail will accept any potential arrestees. Equally alarming are instances in which individuals, after being lawfully arrested and accepted in jail, are subsequently ·’un-arrested” and returned to the very communities where they were arrested. In Texas, a person arrested on a valid warrant must be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, but no later than 48 hours after the arrest.

A person cannot generally be “un-arrested” after being booked in jail and having a valid warrant, unless a court order releases them or the warrant is somehow withdrawn.

County Law Enforcement officers arresting individuals for warrants, such as parole or probation violations (even felony probation violations) and on view crimes, such as drug charges, are being turned away from the jail without the arrestee being properly processed by normal procedures.

Law Enforcement, unknowingly arresting someone for a crime or warrant, is left in a quandary when the jail refuses to accept lawful arrests. These practices not only undermine the integrity of our justice system but also have the potential to leave our citizens feeling vulnerable in their own neighborhoods.

A properly functioning criminal justice system is the cornerstone of community security and trust. Texas law enforcement officers carry the critical responsibility of apprehending, processing, and incarcerating individuals who commit criminal acts. When proper arrests are compromised by the inability to detain or incarcerate offenders in the county jail -due in large part to the overcrowding and lack of a viable plan to combat this problem, it sends a dangerous message to the good citizens of Freestone County. Not only does this erode public confidence, but it also creates an environment where criminals are increasingly emboldened by the perception that our officers are unable, or unwilling, to enforce the law effectively.

Timely and consistent enforcement of the law, even for misdemeanor and nonviolent felony offenses, is essential; numerous studies have demonstrated that such proactive measures help prevent the escalation of criminal behavior into more serious offenses. For instance, research from leading criminologists and agencies like the Bureau of Justice has consistently found that jurisdictions addressing minor offenses rigorously tend to experience a concomitant reduction in more severe crimes. Ignoring these lesser offenses risks setting a precedent that emboldens criminals and destabilizes our community’s sense of security. Elected officials and public servants have a solemn duty to promote a climate of safety and to dispel the pervasive fear of crime among citizens. Robust law enforcement protocols and modernized infrastructure arc not merely administrative conveniences; they are essential to ensuring that residents feel secure in their homes and that our community remains resilient against criminal activity.

Further compounding these issues is the state of our current county jail. Reports of inmates being confined in a closet overnight while awaiting magistrate review are deeply disturbing. The current conditions of our County Jail conditions fail to meet current Texas Jail Standards and put arrestees into a vile pit of health and safety risks. Such neglect not only compromises the rights and dignity of those in custody but also hinders our ability to maintain public safety.

Moreover, the current situation is having a profound impact on the morale of our dedicated law enforcement officers. It is disheartening for officers, who are willing to serve the community and risk their lives in the name of public safety, to witness a system that appears to impede their efforts to curb criminal behavior. At the same time, criminals are gaining a false sense of security and stronger foothold of their criminal enterprises, knowing that under the present conditions, they may avoid accountability. This dangerous divergence in mindset further destabilizes our community and undermines the foundational premise of a secure society.

Furthermore, as elected officials and public servants, you bear a sacred duty to promote a climate of safety and to dissipate the pervasive fear of crime that undermines our community’s quality of life. Upholding this duty means establishing robust criminal justice protocols and investing in essential infrastructure that not only deters criminal activity but also reassures our citizens that their well-being is our highest priority.

In addition to the safety and security implications, it is critical to consider the substantial financial burden arising from failures in providing appropriate law enforcement services. Recent statistics indicate that costly lawsuits and settlements related to police misconduct have imposed significant financial strains on municipalities.

For example, a study conducted by the Cato Institute revealed that police misconduct-related settlements across the United States totaled over $3 billion from 2010 to 2020 averaging over $1OO million per year in costs to taxpayers According to data compiled by various public records, settlements in some jurisdictions have already exceeded $2 billion in total compensation. These figures underscore the fiscal imperative to invest in effective law enforcement operations and modern facilities, rather than continue incurring expenses that could be mitigated with proactive measures.

Considering these multifaceted challenges, I respectfully urge the Freestone County Commissioners to take immediate action on the following fronts:
Review and Reform Law Enforcement Protocols: Initiate a comprehensive review of current practices within the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office to ensure all arrestees are processed in full accordance with lawful procedures. This step is essential to reinforcing the pillars of justice in our community.
Construction of a New, Updated County Jail: Allocate the necessary resources to build a modem detention facility that meets current safety standards. A new facility should alleviate the overcrowding and substandard conditions of our current jail by providing an environment that secures the dignity of those in custody while ensuring public safety.

Evaluate a Referendum or Bond Measure: Consider initialing a referendum or bond specifically dedicated to financing the construction of the new facility. This new facility should not only meet the needs of Freestone County but could also generate additional revenue by renting available space to other counties facing similar challenges. Such an approach would ensure that our tax dollars are managed locally and effectively, rather than subsidizing jail systems in other counties.

Your decisive leadership in embracing these reforms is essential. As elected officials and public servants, you bear the responsibility of guaranteeing that our community is safeguarded by efficient law enforcement practices while ensuring that our fiscal resources are allocated in a manner that promotes long-term public safety and trust.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues further and contribute to the collaborative efforts necessary for implementing these critical reforms. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Thank you,
Chief D. DeWayne Philpott
Teague Police Chief

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