The president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, Danny Diaz, is calling for the intervention of the governor's office in what he describes as the unethical influence of an outside agency on the policies of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. In a statement obtained by KSAT, Diaz stated, "If (Gonzales is) taking suggestions from an outside company. I’m sorry, for me, that’s unethical." He also suggested that the citizens of Bexar County and the City of San Antonio should be concerned about these developments and referenced House Bill 17, a law aiming to remove prosecutors deemed rogue for not pursuing certain crimes.
The police union has been openly critical of District Attorney Joe Gonzales, particularly regarding the dismissal of cases involving repeat offenders and the charging of officers in cases that led to mistrials. Diaz also expressed concerns over the treatment of former police officers in court, arguing for equal treatment and fair trials. "These ongoing mistrials demonstrate that officer-involved cases are being treated much differently than others," Diaz said in a statement presented by KSAT. He raised the alarm about the potential violation of constitutional rights and the effect on the livelihoods of those involved.
In response, District Attorney Joe Gonzales has refuted the accusations, labeling them as political attacks. Gonzales conveyed his commitment to criminal justice reform, particularly in cases concerning low-level, nonviolent offenses. "I will tell you that when it comes to violent crimes, I have been tough on crime," Gonzales told KSAT.
Gonzales also addressed the claims regarding the mistreatment of former officers in court, asserting the dedication of his office to ensure justice is served. "Our ultimate goal is to seek justice. It is critical that our office give opposing counsel all information they are entitled to," Gonzales stated, confirming his office's transparency and commitment to fair trials, according to the remarks he made to KSAT. The district attorney's office has acknowledged their responsibility to disclose all required information to defendants and has stated that they will rectify any errors should they occur.
