HOUSTON — The announcement of the inaugural Poynter Journalism Prize winners comes with a huge recognition for KHOU 11!
Investigative Reporter Jeremy Rogalski, Photojournalist John Gibson and Executive Producer Jennifer Cobb were awarded the Frank A. Blethen Award for Local Accountability Reporting, recognizing their investigative work centered around the Coffee City Police Department.
KHOU 11 Investigates found that in Coffee City, Texas, a town of about 250 people, there were 50 sworn police officers. That's five times the number of any town its size.
Our team found that more than half of those officers had been suspended, demoted, terminated, or dishonorably discharged from their previous law enforcement jobs. The misconduct ranged from untruthfulness and excessive force to criminal charges of official oppression and aggravated assault.
Since the story aired, city council members fired the police chief who hired them and shut down the department. Two grand juries have indicted seven former officers, including the police chief, for tampering with government records.
The Frank A. Blethen Award recognizes outstanding work done by a news organization that holds local authorities accountable for actions, or inaction.
KHOU 11 News was the only television station honored in Poynter's inaugural journalism contest.
You can watch our investigation into Coffee City in the video player above or the YouTube video below.
KHOU 11 Investigates coverage of the Coffee City Police Department:
- This Texas town has about 250 people. It has 50 sworn police officers. | Part 1
- Caught on camera: Small-town police chief goes on tirade | Part 2
- Coffee City Police Department suspends division after KHOU 11 Investigates questioned its legality | Part 3
- Coffee City police chief suspended after KHOU 11 Investigation | Part 4
- Coffee City mayor ‘shocked’ by KHOU 11 Investigates findings over police hiring practices
- In wake of KHOU 11 Investigates reports, Coffee City fires police chief, deactivates police department
- Former Coffee City police chief faces felony charges after KHOU 11 investigation
- Another former Coffee City, Texas cop indicted after KHOU 11 investigation
- Third former Coffee City police officer indicted on tampering charges
- Former Coffee City mayor facing felony charges in ongoing investigation
- Two more former Coffee City officers indicted
- Coffee City police indictments climb to 7 former cops
- Fired and hired: KHOU 11 Investigates ‘wandering officers’ in the Houston area