06:14 PM CST on Friday, January 27, 2006

From 11 News Staff Reports

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One of the city's police unions has filed a lawsuit in support of the officer who criticized HPD's chase policy after last week's controversial pursuit.

KHOU

Tom Nixon was relieved of duty after criticing HPD's chase policy.

Two women and a baby were in a car hit by a suspect who led police on a two-hour chase through three counties. The three were shaken and bruised but not seriously hurt.

Tom Nixon was relieved of duty after speaking out against HPD's decision not to stop the BMW that eventually crashed into the victims' car.

The Houston Police Officers' Union Friday filed a lawsuit against HPD and Chief Harold Hurtt. The suit alleges that the department's decision to relieve Nixon of duty violates his First Amendment rights.

It also claims HPD unconstitutionally and unlawfully retaliated against Nixon.

"The first thing we want to accomplish is giving Thomas his right to speak on matters of public concern," said Chad Hoffman, HPOU attorney. "In addition to that, Thomas has been ostracized by the department, by them assigning him to a different unit, relieving him of his duties as a patrol officer. And we want to get him restored back to status quo."

HPD is not commenting on the lawsuit yet because they haven't seen it.

Records show HPD was involved in 676 chases last year. Seventy-nine people were hurt, including 24 police officers, 41 suspects and 14 citizens. Four people were killed -- three suspects and one citizen.