Dallas Police Association Opposes DA’s Proposed Reform Policies

Dallas — The Dallas Police Association (DPA) held a press conference to discuss Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot’s proposed criminal justice reform policies on Thursday, April 18.

Creuzot’s suggested reforms include not prosecuting criminal theft cases involving ‘necessary’ items such as food, diapers, and baby formula, or items worth less than $750.

DPA president Mike Mata said the word ‘necessary’ is subjective and causes confusion for officers.

“I could get ten people, and they could give me ten different definitions of what they feel is [necessary]” Mata said. “If somebody needs formula for their child, we are not going to put them in jail. Either we’re going to find a way to get them that from the store by mediation, or we’ll take them to a church that will help them.”

Mata feels Creuzot’s proposed policies encourage criminal activity.

“There are places that help people who need help,” Mata said. “We should never, ever advocate lawlessness in any way, shape, or form.”

Creuzot’s proposed policies also involve not prosecuting first-time marijuana offenses.

Mata said officers are more concerned with putting people in jail who have a history of marijuana arrests or are in possession of a deadly weapon while in possession of marijuana.

“If we have an individual who has a history of being arrested for marijuana, they should be charged,” Mata said. “If they have packaged [the marijuana] for resale, they should be charged. The individual smoking one marijuana cigarette is not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about individuals who are career criminals.”

Travis Hammond, an Irving police officer and vice president of the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), said the TMPA is standing with the DPA against Creuzot’s proposed criminal justice reform policies.

“Let the record reflect that these policies were implemented without consulting our law enforcement leadership,” Hammond said.

Hammond feels Creuzot is “failing” to protect the community by considering these policies.

“Instead of enforcing the laws of the books, this attorney is singlehandedly creating his own version,” Hammond said. “As long as the DA keeps these policies in place, we will continue to voice our opposition. The last thing we want to do is look back and say ‘we told you so.'”