Texas moves to shut down police department over failure to provide 'public benefit to the community'

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is revoking the Trinidad Police Department's authority to appoint or continue employing licensed officers effective Friday, following months of controversy surrounding the small Texas city's police force.

In a Sept.

9 letter to Mayor Dennis Haws, TCOLE said the department "failed to meet minimum standards" and "was unable to provide evidence that the agency provides public benefit to the community." Regulators also cited deficiencies involving basic resources, including bullet-resistant vests and secure evidence storage, and said the department lacked 18 required policies covering areas such as use of force, vehicle pursuits, professional conduct, active shooters and misconduct investigations.

At a City Council meeting Tuesday night, Interim Police Chief Cameron Beckham blamed previous management for the department's problems and disputed aspects of TCOLE's findings, arguing that many of the deficiencies had since been addressed.

GEORGIA MAYOR FIRES ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER OFFICERS COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS WIFE IN DISPUTE "Piss-poor management is what I'm just going to say," Beckham told the council.

The department has faced scrutiny since May, when Trinidad resident Jennifer Combs was arrested on a felony false alarm or report charge after posting about concerns surrounding the city's water supply.

Combs said in a May 20 Facebook post that she had been collecting residents' photos, videos and accounts of water problems in an effort to document complaints and encourage state investigators to test water at residents' homes.

She spent 23 hours in jail before a Henderson County grand jury declined to indict her.

Citizen journalist Winston Noles was subsequently arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct while protesting outside City Hall.

That charge was later dismissed.

Former Police Chief Charles Gregory resigned in June .

Combs has since filed a federal lawsuit against the city and Gregory alleging political retaliation.

Prior Fox News Digital reporting also documented that former Trinidad Municipal Judge Shellena Bivens was dismissed after throwing out Noles' charge.

TEXAS POLICE ADMIT OFFICER MADE INACCURATE FIRST AMENDMENT REMARKS AFTER PREACHER CITED AT PRIDE EVENT Henderson County District Judge R.