As you are aware, a basic principle of the department is the belief in the transparency of operation and getting the right information to the public in a timely manner. I believe that in this instance, getting the right information to the public dictates that I respond to the inaccurate and misleading information provided to the public and clarify what actions the Houston Police Department takes with respect to investigating deaths in our city.
Let me be very clear about this – the Houston Police Department investigates deaths and classifies such investigations pursuant to a process that is regularly audited and determined to be in accordance with established protocols. The men and women who conduct such investigations are hard working professionals who perform such duties with a great deal of passion and compassion.
Based on the available evidence, in accordance with recognized protocol, the department seeks to determine and classify the cause of death in each incident. Based on investigative findings and guidance from the Harris County District Attorney’s office and the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office, an incident may be classified as a homicide, suicide, or accidental death.
Whether an incident is classified as a murder is based on Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) protocol, which defines a murder as the willful killing of one human being by another. The UCR definition specifically excludes deaths caused by negligence, suicide, accident and justifiable homicide. That the news report failed to make this distinction grossly misinforms and fails to properly educate the public with respect to this issue.
In each case described, the department investigated the incident and made a determination in a manner consistent with UCR protocol.
Assistant Chief Michael Dirden of the Criminal Investigations command has been given the responsibility of revisiting proper communication protocols between the department and the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office to ensure the timely reporting and receipt of information from the Medical Examiner’s office regarding the cause or causes of citizen death.
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5 comments:
So your complaint is that the news report didn't say that "homicide" to the medical examiner and DA doesn't mean the same thing as what the FBI calls "homicide?" It'd definitely assist the transparency of your blog operation if you'd link to the news report so I can take a look and see if I agree with you or not.
If operations are open and transparent, then why the secrecy about the unmanned aerial drones? You should avoid even the appearance of impropriety. The media should have been invited. I am against the use of drones. The attempt to conceal their testing betrayed the public trust.
Adolph said...
So your complaint is that the news report didn't say that "homicide" to the medical examiner and DA doesn't mean the same thing as what the FBI calls "homicide?" It'd definitely assist the transparency of your blog operation if you'd link to the news report so I can take a look and see if I agree with you or not.
Here’s the link to that story, in which the reporter uses the terms murder and homicide interchangeably. - Chief Hurtt
Concerned Citizen said...
If operations are open and transparent, then why the secrecy about the unmanned aerial drones? You should avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
It was no secret. We issued a news release about it. -- Chief Hurrt
Thank you Chief Hurt for both of your answers to the asked questions... as usuall we see that the media only reports what they want to...
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