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CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
10 years after Dallas police headquarters attack, security gaps at patrol bureaus raise concerns
For months, outside the Dallas Police Department's Northeast patrol bureau on Northwest Highway, officers in patrol cars have spent days and nights on security detail monitoring who goes in and out. That's because the entry and exit gate is inoperable, and there are large openings in the iron fence surrounding the property. "Security around police facilities is very important," said Sgt. Sheldon Smith, with the National Black Police Association. "I think that if a gate's not working, it needs to be immediately fixed." Smith leads the National Black Police Association and works out of another Dallas PD patrol bureau that he said often has an out-of-service security gate as well. "When they're broken, we drive by them, and we don't do anything about it," Smith said. "Unacceptable." Ten years ago this Friday, 35-year-old James Boulware opened fire on Dallas PD headquarters in a makeshift armored van, firing a high-powered rifle through the front entrance and placing a bomb in the parking lot. He was later killed by SWAT officers after refusing to surrender. Security modifications were soon made to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters building. But officers say repeated security breakdowns at the patrol bureaus leave them wondering if the city has forgotten the lessons learned from that night in 2015. "Well, the officers certainly have not forgotten those lessons," said Smith. "And, you know, the leadership that we have now, they weren't in place when that occurred. You know, we had a madman come to police headquarters, but lessons to be learned and passed down to generations." Smith said the use of officers assigned to securing the patrol bureau parking lots also impacts public safety. "As a result of those broken gates, though, we have to put officers that could be answering calls," Smith said, "we have to put them on post to make sure that the officers and the different stations are safe." "When a gate malfunctions, a service request is immediately submitted, and City crews assess the issue," Dallas police said in a statement to CBS News Texas. "Depending on the cause — inclement weather or mechanical failure, etc. — repair times may vary. During this time, officers are assigned to maintain the safety and integrity of our divisional headquarters. These officers are not removed from patrol duties; they remain fully operational and ready to respond to calls and carry out all responsibilities expected of a police officer." It's unclear when this gate will be working again and there are officers in their cars assigned to guard duty.
Telegraph
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The state isn't the only threat to free speech: the workplace is, too
One of the major battlefronts in regards to freedom of expression is how much the principle should apply in the workplace. A common line one hears is that freedom of speech is a legal concept that strictly protects citizens from the persecution of the government for expressing their opinions; it does not apply to private organisations or public institutions who have their own autonomous codes of conducts that govern what their employees are permitted to say publicly on social media. But let us consider Chief Inspector Andy George, the president of the National Black Police Association, who has just been placed under a misconduct investigation for a tweet he sent in November. George took issue with the promotion of Martyn Blake, the firearms officer who was cleared by a jury of murder after shooting dead Chris Kaba on September 5 2022, from inspector to sergeant. George, himself a former firearms officer, suggested black and Asian police officers are more likely to face misconduct allegations and to be punished for the same actions as Blake. Now, maybe George is wrong. There are reasons to think his point might be unreasonable. The existence of a racial disparity doesn't necessarily mean that the cause of it is racism. Perhaps the Martyn Blake case wasn't the best point of comparison for his point. But freedom of speech has never been about protecting the 'right' opinion and punishing the 'wrong' one. Part of the principle of freedom of speech is precisely the right to be wrong, even 'offensive', without being sanctioned for it. Indeed, George is correct to say that this sends a 'chilling message' and 'stifles free speech'. Regardless of whether George is right or not in his views on the police and race, the issue of racism in the police force is a matter of public interest, particularly as in this country the police are supposed to serve the public, not the state. Therefore, it can only be properly faced if all views and perspectives can be aired and face off against each other without fear. Even if a view is wrong, it might still contain a grain of truth that society has to take into consideration. This issue is too serious for sanctioning dissent. It is a plain fact that if you are employed at a corporation or a public institution, your free speech rights are often left at the door. It is naive to believe that the government is the only threat to an individual's free speech. Corporations and public institutions also hold a lot of power. If you dissent from the dominant view then you risk losing your livelihood. This is a matter that affects all of us. If we can't defend Andy George's free speech when he is 'wrong' this time, then we might be powerless next time in defending the person who is right from being censored by their employer.
The Guardian
04-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Leader of UK's black police officers under investigation over tweet
The leader of Britain's black and Asian police officers has been placed under investigation over a tweet. Ch Insp Andy George, the president of the National Black Police Association, said the decision to place him under a misconduct investigation 'sends a chilling message' and 'stifles free speech'. His tweet followed the case of the firearms officer Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder by a jury after shooting dead an unarmed man, Chris Kaba. After the acquittal, the Metropolitan police promoted Blake from sergeant to inspector despite the police watchdog believing he should face a hearing for alleged gross misconduct. George's tweet compared Blake's treatment with that of black and Asian officers, who are more likely to face disciplinary action than their white colleagues. In November 2024 George, himself a former firearms officer, retweeted a MailOnline piece about the promotion of Blake, whose career had stalled until his acquittal. He then tweeted: 'Regardless of your feelings on the case, this will come as a slap in the face to the disproportionate number of Black officers under investigation for misconduct and being held back in their own careers! No doubt an impact on Black Londoners as well.' George, who is a critic of the police's record on race, said: 'It is deeply concerning that I am facing misconduct proceedings simply for speaking out on issues that directly impact Black officers and communities. 'My role is to advocate for fairness, accountability and justice within policing. This action sends a chilling message, not just to me, but to all Black officers who raise concerns about racial disparities in policing. 'It stifles free speech, undermines my ability to represent our members and reinforces the very inequalities we are fighting to address. 'Policing must be open to scrutiny, not silence those who seek positive change. 'This is the latest in a series of misconduct proceedings brought for engagement on X and is in stark contrast to how the [Police] Federation and senior officers are treated when they speak out.' The decision to place George under investigation was made by the force he works for, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The discipline notice warns George that he 'may have breached the PSNI code of ethics' and says it follows an allegation the force has received. The complainant alleged the tweet stirred up racial division, was biased and parts had no factual basis. They said: 'Yet again I write to complain about Inspector Andy George …' 'It is likely to stir up hate, division, and acrimony among officers.' The complaint that the PSNI based its investigation on continues: 'It is high time this man was removed from policing as it is clear he is intent on harming relations between different races of officers, especially in the Met.' Blake was charged with murder after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC is now considering whether it should pursue Blake for gross misconduct, despite anger in sections of policing who view his treatment as unfair, or drop its pursuit of him. After Blake's acquittal in three hours by a jury, seen as a sign of a weak case, it was alleged Kaba was a core member of a violent gang and was suspected of a shooting. It led to pressure to make it harder to put officers on trial. A government review is expected to give – as police see it – greater protections for officers when they use force as part of their duties. Some see it as immunity for agents of the state. The PSNI, first contacted on Friday, did not comment.
