Story Created:
Jun 16, 2008 at 10:36 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 20, 2008 at 1:16 PM CDT
Residents in Burk asked for change at tonight's city council meeting. Many feel the Burk Police Department and even some City Officials are mishandling business.
The council meeting began with numerous residents and even a former police investigator wanting councilmen to answer questions about alleged corruption in the city's police department.
"When one person tells you something and you don't agree with it and you go talk to the Chief of Police or whoever you gotta talk to, you get harassed and harassed," Resident Susan Disney said, "And it's not just you, it's your kids."
Disney said officers have shown up at door steps because residents have spoken up that there's an issue with how certain officers handle business. She said some officers will pull you over for no reason and speed around town.
Pete Couture said one officer in particular turned relatives loose for felonies.
"It started after some juveniles were involved in an accident. All 3 were intoxicated. They were related to a police officer and he wiped the paper work clean and basically swept it under the rug," Couture said.
He reported it to the District Attorneys office and says he was brought in to the police department for two hours saying they wanted to know where he got his information from.
"I've even gone so far as in council to ask them, 'have I made a claim that you have not verified under your own investigation?' Everything I've said has been proven," Couture said.
He said he was threatened by another officer when he went up to the station wanting to get a copy of the report.
"Another employee walks up, looks at me and says, 'is Mr. Couture up here causing problems?' looked at me and said, 'I'm gunna go out and kick your motorcycle over," He said.
When asked to comment, Chief of Police Mike Tracey who was at the council meeting declined our invitation.
"There are very fine officers in Burk and they're paying a penalty for a couple," Couture said.
No action was taken tonight. The alleged corruption was just open for discussion and residents are still waiting for an answer.
Friday, Jun 27 at 3:56 PM Mike wrote ...
We are going to need outside intervention. Outside Wichita County area, the Wichita County District Attorny's office has no interest, not sensational enough for them. Write or call TCLEOSE at (512) 936-7746 or on the web www.tcleose.state.tx.us/index.htm They are the state agency that oversees law enforcement officials. They have complaint forms on the web site you can submit.