Dallas' largest police union just pulled a dramatic about-face. Yesterday, members of the Dallas Police Association voted to oust longtime officer and union president Jaime Castro and elevate Sean Pease to the top job, a swift leadership shakeup arriving while Castro remains under internal investigation in connection with a deadly March crash. Castro, who won the presidency in January 2024, was placed on administrative leave in mid‑November as the department launched its review of the collision.
Members gathered for a union meeting yesterday and, after discussion, voted to replace Castro with Pease, according to WFAA. The station reported that the vote came while the internal investigation into the March crash remains active, setting the stage for an unusually public clash between internal discipline and union politics.
Probe and Grand Jury Review
An internal affairs case and a referral to a Dallas County grand jury have hovered over Castro for months, according to records reviewed by The Dallas Morning News. The outlet reported that an internal document lists the reason for Castro's administrative leave as a "Grand Jury referral for Class A Misdemeanor," signaling that the matter has moved beyond routine administrative review.
Crash Details and Scene Handling
Officers were dispatched around 10 p.m. on March 15 to the 2500 block of West Northwest Highway, where 25‑year‑old Atianna Washington was struck and later pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital, according to FOX 4. Video from the scene showed Castro speaking with officers and exchanging handshakes as investigators worked the crash site, raising eyebrows about how the response was handled. Two officers who responded to the scene were later placed on administrative leave as part of the broader inquiry.
Union Reaction and Quick Leadership Change
Even after the membership vote, the Dallas Police Association's online roster still listed Jaime Castro as president, reflecting that the union's website had not yet caught up with the shakeup, according to the association's official listings. The same page identifies Sean Pease as a vice president, a reminder that he was already seated on the DPA executive board before members decided to promote him into the hot seat.
Legal Implications
Records obtained by The Dallas Morning News show the case has been referred to a grand jury, a move that can precede criminal charges but does not guarantee that any will be filed. The Dallas County district attorney's office and Dallas police spokespeople have declined to spell out the full scope of the investigation, and no criminal charges have been announced. That cloud of uncertainty has fueled concern inside the union and helped drive the membership's push for a leadership change while the probe plays out.
What Comes Next
Some investigative records and body‑worn camera footage remain off limits to the public while investigators and prosecutors continue their review, and the grand jury process could stretch on in the coming weeks, according to WFAA. In the meantime, the Dallas Police Association is expected to formalize the leadership transition as Pease steps into a role that is suddenly under far more scrutiny from both members and the wider public.
The shakeup at the top of the Dallas Police Association closes one chapter for the union, while legal and internal reviews continue to unfold, a development that could influence how officers and city leaders approach accountability going forward. Attorneys for Washington's family have said the lack of transparency has been frustrating, a concern that has echoed through local coverage as the case moves through review.
