HERE IS CITY MANAGER SHERYL SCULLEY'S RESPONSE TO THE POLICE UNION'S CLAIMS:
“Calling for the Chief’s leave almost six months after the event is a tired attempt to keep a false narrative going. The Chief broke no rules, policy or laws on December 23rd. Saying the Chief is under criminal investigation is unfair and inaccurate. Clearly the union has an agenda they are trying to further.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
The San Antonio Police Chief is again under fire from the police union, News radio 1200 WOAI reports.
In an open letter, San Antonio Police Officers Association President Detective Mike Helle says now that the Texas Attorney General's Office has confirmed it is investigating McManus' decision to release 12 illegal immigrants discovered at a traffic stop in December, he should be placed on administrative leave.
Helle says the SAPD GEneral Manual, Procedure 908, requires 'mandatory leave' for any officer who is 'under criminal investigation.'
"By not adhering to official policy, the Chief's telling both his fellow officers and the community, 'do as I say, not as I do'," Helle said in the letter. "He is saying the rules don't apply to him, that there is one standard for people like him and another for the rest of us."
McManus has repeatedly said he did not detain the illegal immigrants because he didn't have the authority to hold them, and his decision was confirmed by Immigration and Customs Officials who were on the scene of the incident, which occurred on I-35 near Splashtown.
"This is a terrible mesage to send to officers under his command, but it is also a particularly bd one to send during a time when people in minority communities sometimes feel that they are treated by a different standard. As police officers work to build bonds of trust with those in minority communities, the Chief's actions undermine our efforts."
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Manager Sheryl Sculley have defended the chief's actions in this incident.