HPD review of suspended code lands charge for Turkey Leg Hut co-founder

According to sources familiar with the matter, the Houston Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division is recommending disciplinary action for two current and four former officers due to their use of a “suspended – lack of personnel” code. However, these recommendations are still pending review by an Independent Police Oversight Board and the Administration Disciplinary Committee.

In response to inquiries, HPD released a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that they are actively addressing questions raised by the committee regarding the Internal Affairs Division’s investigation into the suspended code. The department emphasized their commitment to conducting a thorough review, including collecting statements and conducting additional interviews as necessary.

Meanwhile, ongoing investigations into the approximately 260,000 incident reports previously sidelined due to staffing shortages have resulted in charges being filed against at least 50 suspects. Among these cases is a misdemeanor assault charge against Lyndell Price, co-founder of the Turkey Leg Hut, stemming from an altercation earlier this year.

One such incident involved Antonio Jackson, who reported being assaulted at a bar. His case had initially been marked with the suspended code but was later reassigned for investigation following Chief Troy Finner’s directive to discontinue its use. As a result, charges were brought against Price for misdemeanor assault.

In addition to Jackson’s case, charges have been filed against two individuals for aggravated assault related to a shooting incident at a child’s birthday party last year. Despite initial detainment by responding officers, the suspects were released, and the incident report was marked with the suspended code. Subsequently, charges were filed nearly a year later.

HPD has acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review to understand how cases like these were improperly marked with the suspended code. However, the Houston Police Officers’ Union has criticized HPD’s Internal Affairs investigation into the matter, advocating for an external agency to handle the inquiry.

Notably, HPD’s Internal Affairs has initiated an investigation into the union president, Douglas Griffith, following a letter he sent questioning the validity of the investigation into the suspended code. When pressed for comment on this new investigation, HPD declined, citing the ongoing nature of internal investigations.

In light of these developments, HPD urges victims whose contact information has changed since the time of their report to update their details by calling (713) 308-1180 or emailing specialvictimsreport@houstonpolice.org.