Acting Police Chief Jerry Brewer met with Lubbock Police officers Tuesday afternoon to lay out his plans for the department.
A statement from police said, “He introduced Captain Chris Bachman as the interim Assistant Chief of Investigations.”
Brewer was switched from Assistant Chief of Patrol to Assistant Chief of Investigations just one day before he was named as the Acting Chief. Former Police Chief Roger Ellis was demoted to Captain on Friday by the City Manager.
Leading up to that change were questions over the handling of the Mark Ysasaga murder investigation. Assistant Chief James Shavers had been in charge of investigations at the time.
By all appearances a $10,000 reward was paid to a “person of interest” in the murder case.
But that’s not the only issue. This month the U.S. Department of Justice threatened to sue the City of Lubbock over its police hiring practices. The DOJ accused LPD of discriminating against Hispanics and women.
Also the evening before Ellis was demoted, James Clark with EverythingLubbock.com sent a written complaint to the City Manager saying that it appeared officials deleted a police report rather than turn it over in an open records request.
If so, Texas law says it would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Regarding the meeting on Tuesday, police also said, “All scheduled personnel promotions will go on as previously scheduled.”
Police also said, “[Chief Brewer] thanked everyone for their support and dedication to servicing the Citizens of this great City.”
Police said City Manager James Loomis also attended and provided encouraging words. The city said last week there would be a search for a permanent replacement for Ellis.
