Houston Police Department Implements New Strategy Amidst Investigative Challenges

In an effort to more efficiently address crime in Houston, the Houston Police Department (HPD) has initiated a strategy of placing investigators into each patrol division, a move discussed by Acting Chief Larry Satterwhite during a press conference. By creating a closer working relationship between patrol officers and investigators, Satterwhite believes that crimes can be solved more expediently, “And it can help take bad guys off the street,” according to Houston Chronicle. Although early in its implementation, this tactic aims to address issues such as those in family violence calls, where time is a pressing factor for charges and victim aid.

However, the department’s investigative capabilities have long been strained, a problem that is not exactly new. A report dating back to 2014 indicated that the HPD had over 20,000 uninvestigated cases, ranging from burglaries to assaults and hit-and-runs, due to inadequate staffing. According to a council meeting covered by Eyewitness News and ABC13, Criminal Justice expert Dr. Larry Hoover stated at the time, "That is a situation which cries for attention." The gravity of the oversight was not lost upon former council member Michael Kubosh who was alarmed, saying, "Good God, almighty. I hope the criminals don't know about this!"

Despite past recommendations to hire additional personnel, the issue of uninvestigated cases continues to weigh heavily on the department. The scandal involving over 260,000 cases that were not investigated is a clear echo of the seemingly perennial challenge for HPD. The department's former Chief Charles McClelland once remarked that staffing is a critical factor and that merely hiring a hundred more detectives will not give the capacity to work 20,000 cases. 

Amid ongoing internal investigations, the city's leadership is trying steadfast to answer community concerns. Mayor John Whitmire has established a five-person review committee to examine the department's investigatory process. Despite the cycles of failure and review, Whitmire maintains a stance of confidence, telling ABC13, "I'm very confident it's being handled properly."