HOUSTON — The Houston Police Officers’ Union is calling for HPD Chief Troy Finner to be recused from the internal investigation into 264,000 incidents suspended due to a lack of personnel.
In a three-page letter to Mayor John Whitmire and Finner, HPOU General Counsel Aaron Suder wrote that it’s a “substantial conflict of interest” for the chief to be a key witness in the investigation with an “inherent self-interest in the outcome” to ultimately serve as the final decision-maker regarding its findings.
“Chief Finner and internal affairs should not be investigating this case in their own department,” Suder told KHOU 11 Investigates. “That's the ultimate proverbial foxes guarding the hen house.”
The HPOU is requesting the investigation be transferred to the city’s Office of Inspector General or another agency unaffiliated with the Houston Police Department. Last week, Whitmire announced a five-member independent review committee to “look over the shoulder” of HPD internal affairs.
Suder said the independent panel lacks full investigative power and authority.
“Who knew what and when did they know it?” Suder said. “And that can’t be done when Chief Finner is a player and has involvement in directly what happened and still oversee the investigation and control the investigative findings.”
Finner told KHOU 11 Investigates he has no plans to step aside and is focused on contacting citizens who filed crime reports and haven’t heard back from police, especially the 4,000 adult sex crime suspended cases.
“I don’t work for the union, I work for the mayor and we’re capable, able of conducting an investigation and that’s where we are,” Finner said.
Finner previously said he banned the controversial “suspended lack of personnel” code back in November 2021 and didn’t know his order had not been followed until just last month.
“But, I believe there is going to be plenty of evidence in this case that are not in line with the public narrative that’s being given by the Houston Police Department,” Suder said. “By Chief Finner.”
A spokesperson for Whitmire said he's respectful of Finner’s many years of distinguished service and doesn’t want to cast aspersions on his character. The spokesperson said the independent review committee will ensure a fair and impartial investigation.