A San Marcos advocacy group is driving a hard charge toward police reform in light of a controversial crash involving a former officer. Mano Amiga Safe Communities, fuelled by a fatal incident in 2020 with ex-San Marcos Police Sgt. Ryan Hartman seeks to dismantle the protective policies that they argue shield officers from full accountability.
The group filed a petition demanding key reforms, alluding to the same policies alleged to have let Hartman off lightly after the crash that killed Jennifer Miller. Despite recommendations for charges of criminally negligent homicide, Hartman faced no such consequences. Instead, as KVUE reported, he only received a traffic ticket, which was later removed from his record.
Fighting for what they call the "Hartman Reforms," the group aims to repeal Chapter 143 of the local government code, which outlines certain privileges for police officers, including the 180-day time frame within which an internal investigation must be initiated. "We all deserve a say in how we are policed," Eric Martinez, executive director of Mano Amiga, told KVUE. He decried the civil service status as a barrier to holding officers like Hartman accountable.
According to KXAN, the proposed changes detailed in the petition include an end to the statute of limitations on investigating officer misconduct, increased transparency of personnel files, and the elimination of third-party arbitration and substitute punishments like vacation forfeiture in lieu of suspension. "Safety without accountability is a facade," Martinez emphasized in a statement.
A city spokesperson confirmed to KXAN that the petition will be verified within the next 45 days. Should the city certify it, voters may see the proposition on the ballot in November. This action comes after the city council failed to satisfy the demands for transparency and accountability raised in the wake of the deadly crash.
The San Marcos Police Department has withheld comment on this developing situation. The community awaits the outcome as the city clerk's office proceeds with the verification of the signatures, poised to potentially bring transformative developments to local law enforcement oversight.
