Friday, December 2nd, 2005
46 Comments
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LMPD Posting Surveillance Photos And Videos From Robberies Online |
This IN HOUSTON NEWSPAPER 12-3-05
Houston Chief Seeks More Officers
Dateline: Houston, Texas - 12/3/2005
Houston Chronicle
Houston's police chief spoke out Friday about recent concerns raised over a staffing shortage in the Houston Police Department, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Chief Harold Hurtt agreed with his critics in the police union that the department needs more manpower. But he said plans have been in the works for months to increase the number of officers through streamlining and overtime.
Hurtt said police response time in Houston is among the best in the nation for major, violent crimes -- an average of 4.8 minutes. But, to achieve that, the department often diverts officers from low-priority calls.
"As a result of that, we have seen somewhat of an increase in responding to the lesser important calls where life and property is not an immediate threat," Hurtt said.
The police union documented 500 police calls in October where victims waited up to 12 hours and 39 minutes for an officer to arrive.
Union president Hans Marticiuc told city council that what's needed is more overtime and less paperwork to put more officers on the street.
"A lot of these issues that were brought up was already on our table for discussion and planning," Hurtt said.
The chief said the department has budgeted $4 million in overtime for the rest of the year. The city is also accelerating police cadet classes, and moving to free up officers currently working jail jobs.
To alleviate paperwork, the department will buy 2,200 laptop computers for officers and set up an Internet site for crime reporting.
"Within the year, hopefully, we'll be in a position were citizens will be able to report some minor offenses online," Hurtt said.
Even with the changes, the department will not be able to keep up with officer attrition. About 700 officers have retired over the past two years and Hurtt expects to lose 200 more each year, for the next five years.
HPD currently has 4,728 officers. The chief said he'd like to have an additional 1,700.
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"The city is also accelerating police ca...
18 years ago
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I don't have a big problem with speeding...
18 years ago
- here we go again with the lateral classe... 18 years ago
- Richmond is going to 18 weeks after the ... 18 years ago
- Blocked by Admin 7 years ago
- Why do you say that? Maybe they should t... 18 years ago
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The academy has always had lots of waste...
18 years ago
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If you wanted to work for LMPD, then you...
18 years ago
- How do you know what every lateral trans... 18 years ago
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It is really sad that no matter what the...
18 years ago
- I can't believe this. This is Larry's ti... 18 years ago
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Actually, it only hurts LMPD - which doe...
18 years ago
- If you can't pass the PT standards, you ... 18 years ago
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If you wanted to work for LMPD, then you...
18 years ago
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I don't have a big problem with speeding...
18 years ago
- Blocked by Admin 7 years ago
Larry's going to be mad!
You're hijacking one of his media moments!
RE: LMPD Posting Surveillance Photos And Videos From Robberies...
Apparently, he's the PIO up there and will have many more opportunities-self-initiated-to talk to the press. I dont see how they work with him up there.
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Instead of complaining and typing online...
18 years ago
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Better yet.....go patrol your beat and p...
18 years ago
- Oh, Larry! 18 years ago
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Better yet.....go patrol your beat and p...
18 years ago