To end a federal inquiry into deputies' alleged religious and racial discrimination, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia has agreed to hire an outside expert to monitor his department's internal affairs division.
The agreement is set to be approved today by Harris County Commissioners Court.
The U.S. Justice Department investigation was spurred by the discovery of emails from sheriff's commanders — before Garcia took office — that disparaged religious, racial and ethnic groups. The probe also was prompted by the treatment of members of a Sikh family detained in late 2008 after calling deputies to their home to investigate a burglary.
The agreement requires the department to hire an internal affairs expert to review use of force and internal affairs procedures, as well as develop "diversity and cross-cultural awareness“ training for new cadets and existing deputies.
The agreement also calls for a written report after an eight-month review, which will serve as an outline to improve the handling of complaints against deputies from the public, how internal investigations are conducted and the training of officers who do them.
The sheriff also agreed to invite Sikh and Muslim religious leaders to participate in the department's Faith Leaders meeting, and create a Citizen Advisory Council to meet every two months to foster communications with the public.
Apology for joke
Former Sheriff Tommy Thomas apologized to local Muslim leaders in 2008 after emails from his staff were released that contained racial, ethnic and religious slurs. One from the department's jail commander used the name of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, to make a joke about eating pork.
At the time, leaders of the Muslim, African-American and Asian communities in Houston condemned the slurs.
Assistant County Attorney John Odam said the agreement, which is not an admission of wrongdoing, will allow the county to avoid litigation to resolve issues raised by the Justice Department's investigation.
"We're agreeing to a process whereby we will have an independent, third party, outside expert to review the internal affairs process and make recommendations to the sheriff as to a better process, including policies and procedures on use of force,“ said Odam, adding he anticipates the monitor's report will be released to the public.
A positive step
Kawaljeet Kaur, a member of the Sikh family detained during the Nov. 26, 2008, incident, said Justice Department officials contacted her Monday and outlined the proposed agreement. She considers it a positive step.
"Understanding has to be created,“ said Kaur, a 38-year-old accountant. "It's great that this understanding is being agreed to. But an understanding is just an understanding unless it is implemented — so knowing it actually is being put into practice is extremely important.“
Kaur was detained after a sheriff's deputy "freaked out“ after seeing a small religious dagger called a Kirpan that she was wearing on the night of the incident. The deputy pointed a Taser gun at Kaur, called for backup, and when other deputies arrived they handcuffed her and other family members, including her 60-year-old mother.
Cultural diversity training
Sheriff's Office spokesman Alan Bernstein said no action was taken against the deputies who responded to the call for help from the Sikh family, who had returned home to find their northwest Harris County house ransacked and money and jewelry missing.
"A painstaking and detailed examination of the case resulted in no disciplinary action against HCSO employees,“ Bernstein said. "However, the case did lead to institutional changes, including staff training on cultural diversity issues. Sheriff Adrian Garcia continues his tireless outreach to all kinds of cultural, religious and ethnic groups in Harris County."
Three weeks after the incident, and before he was sworn in to office, Sheriff-elect Garcia removed his shoes and put on a head covering during a visit to the Sikh Center of Houston.
Garcia pledged to expand diversity training and investigate the complaint against deputies who harassed the Sikh family.
"It's unfortunate that we're getting to know each other under these circumstances," Garcia told the Sikhs in attendance. "When these type of circumstances occur, we all lose. The image of what should be American authority suffers."
