Latest news with #TylerPD
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tyler Police Department set to open new state-of-the-art training facility
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The Tyler Police Department is creating a state-of-the-art training facility to ensure their officers are as well-trained as possible before going out on the field. The Tyler City Council approved a $1.8 million contract with Watson Commercial Construction on Wednesday to transform the former National Guard Armory into a Regional Police Training Facility. Tyler Police Department deploys extra officers for Memorial Day weekend The armory, which is currently located on East Commerce Street, will be converted by the Tyler PD into a centralized training hub for cadets and current officers. The new facility will include scenario-based training areas, classrooms, locker rooms and a gym. The new environment is intended to give officers and cadets the tools and resources needed to sharpen their skills and better respond to emergencies. The facility will be funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax and will allow Tyler PD to maintain and build on its standards. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'We were disgusted' Civil Rights activists call for Tyler Police resignations
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– Texas Civil Rights activists said in Thursday press conference that they demand the resignation of the police chief, the termination of the officers involved in the incident and others in the department. VIDEO: Tyler PD releases bodycam footage after woman discharges officer's gun during arrest Civil Rights activists Quanell X and Candice Matthews were deeply disturbed watching the video of Brianna Erwin's arrest on Mother's Day. 'We were disgusted on how law enforcement pretty much did this sister the way that they did which was excessive use of force,' activist Candice Matthews said. X and Matthews called for Chief Jimmy Toler's resignation, the termination of the officers involved and Toler's leadership team. Chief Toler stated he supports the actions of his officers. He added that his officers are trained to increase restraint when a suspect increases their resistance. 'When you look at her face, she has a huge black eye on her face. When you watch the video you see them punching and punching and putting their knees in the back and just straddling this sister,' activist Quanell X said. Tyler PD said during the struggle, Erwin managed to fire a gun shot from the holster of the officer. Toler said to deescalate the situation the officer was seen giving Erwin a 'closed hand strike.' 'It was impossible for Erwin to fire the officer's weapon,' Mathews said. 'It being a level three retention holster, the level three retention holster has three levels in order to move that gun out of that holster. In order for her, and she was tussling the way she was doing. She's not an expert to know that. So based on that video, from what we've seen, is that it appears that the officer shot that gun, not her.' For the first time in more than 20 years the Tyler Police Department released body cam footage during an active investigation to put down rumors that the gun was fired by the officer, according to the chief. 'The safety zone has a double safety mechanism on the trigger. You have to pull the trigger with both sides of it and even pull to make it go off. That's the only way it goes off. She had to discharge the trigger to make that gun discharge, and they're always engaged and ready to go in case they are confronted with deadly force, which is what they were here,' Chief of Police, Jimmy Toler said. X said if the gun was that easy to discharge, then gun was not stored properly. 'If that gun was already in the holster and able to fire sitting in the holster with no safety on, then if it was that easily accessible to anyone, then that means it was not stored correctly and properly,' X said. There is an ongoing criminal investigation into Erwin's actions and an internal investigation. The internal investigation is procedure when an officer's gun is discharged. 'We will finish our investigation, make a determination about whether or not the action of the officers were reasonable and prudent based on the circumstances that she created. From there, we'll make a determination on whether it's justified or not justified,' Toler said. Both activists are calling for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to step in and investigate if Erwin's rights were violated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tyler PD honors officer on 70th anniversary of line of duty death
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– Thursday marks 70 years since a Tyler Police Officer was working his first Mother's Day with the department when he was killed during a high-speed pursuit. According to Tyler Police Department, on May 8, 1955 Patrolman Burl Whittington died at the age of 25 after he was involved in a high-speed chase of two teenagers on South Broadway. Funeral service held for fallen Tyler police officer While Whittington was following the speeding vehicle through Old Bullard Road, his patrol car hit a dip and went out control causing him to strike a tree head-on. The department said Whittington had been at Tyler PD for only 1 year and 4 months when he died from his injuries he experienced from the crash. Whittington is one of four Tyler police officers killed in the line of of duty. 'We do not want to forget the sacrifice he made serving the City of Tyler,' Tyler PD said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tyler PD investigating fatal shooting of 16-year-old
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The Tyler Police Department is currently investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old on Pegues Avenue on Monday. Murder investigation underway after 19-year-old Nacogdoches man found dead According to Tyler PD, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1600 block of Pegues Avenue on Monday at around 9 p.m. When the officers arrived at the scene they found a 16-year-old who had been shot. Tyler PD said the 16-year-old was then transported to a local hospital where he died. A witness at the scene told Tyler PD that they heard gunshots and saw an older model white 2-door truck leaving the scene on Pegues Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler PD at 903-531-1000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested by Tyler PD after hitting patrol vehicle during pursuit
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – A man was arrested by the Tyler Police Department last week after evading arrest and committing aggravated assault against a public servant, according to an arrest affidavit. UPDATE: Officials recover body from Lake Tyler after hourslong search The incident started on April 23 when two officers from the Tyler Police Department began to pursue a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by Ougist Williams. The driver was traveling down Jacksonville Highway when officers who believed the Nissan had been previously used in an aggravated assault case began to pursue the vehicle, according to an affidavit. During the pursuit the affidavit stated Williams struck a Tyler PD patrol truck with his car before his vehicle came to a stop. After stopping the Nissan, Williams fled from the scene and was later found in a creek where he was placed under arrest. Following his arrest, Williams was charged with two counts of evading arrest and one count of committing aggravated assault against a public servant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
