What really needs to happen is AMERICA needs a National Registry for Bad Officers fired for dishonourable service. So they can never apply at another Agency to continue their abuse. Time to hold these thugs with badges ACCOUNTABLE.
I agree 100%. Law enforcement is one of the three top careers that domestic abusers go into. That means there are too many who are there for the power of it. We need to have a registry to keep track of them all.
Exactly. The killing of American journalism of the mid 2000s and on has had far reaching impacts and one of them is accountability of public officials. The killing of American journalism was a watershed moment in history. It arose from corporations buying newspapers, news stations, and such. They targeted and dismantled investigative journalism and any other apparatus that was holding them accountable.
@@pamsing3012Someone slipped up? Like the Mayor of Coffee City who hired this guy & defended him for years? $1 million in city tax revenues is enough to look the other way!
Thank you. This was my question as well. Maybe the money they were bringing in harassing the citizens outweighed the need to investigate. The mayor & council needs to be investigated as well.
How could Mayor Blackstone act like he's not aware of the numerous police cars and officers in his town? The people who live there certainly were aware. I believe that the mayor and others were in on this money-making traffic ticket racket. My parents lived in a small town of 2,500. They have two police officers. For over 50 years, just two officers were needed. I agree with the commenters here about that this is what journalism should be.
Federal law should mandate that any cop who has criminal charges pending their certification is suspended. Found guilty their certification is the first to go.
Is no one going to talk about the elephant in the room? This whole setup was to make a ton of money for the city and the mayor is neck deep in it. They were racking in over a million $$$ in traffic fines to mostly out of town people passing through, by issuing speed trap tickets and then hounding them for payment like lone sharks. This whole city needs to be investigated.
I figured traffic fines were the cash cow that motivated this arrangement. Probably most of the town's budget came from that source so like you say how could the mayor be unaware. Amazing it didn't occur to this reporter to question how this small town could afford to pay so many cops.
Over 1million however since coffee city is a transit through place alot are from out of town or even state. Which is why most of the 50 cops are"performance driven" that don't live in that city and work remotely a few days a week part-time and are paid for each one they close out and collect on. Pretty shitty and completely corrupt. I don't think the city is bringing in that full amount but you would be pretty hands off to not notice what's happening from a books/budget perspective.
I mean, that sounds fe'd up but until they are arrested themselves they still have to do their job right? So like if they have an Active warrant are they not suppose to chase down the guy that just robbed you if you ask them for assistance and it happens to be a a-hole cop? Many bad cops actually do parts of their job, they're just bad and we don't know until they're exposed, then there are a-hole cops whom are just all around bad and don't do their job at all. Your parents or guardians were hypocrites at times raising you, did you say "uh uh guys, you guys lied before, no punishment for me alright, better luck next incident".
It doesn't take much. The cops are a criminal gang that use the same tricks everywhere. If you can think more than 1 to 2 steps ahead, and you have the truth, you can easily expose them as the sadistic thugs they are.
@@davidadausuel4537It gets way worse, they need to investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!! investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!!
Over a million dollars in traffic fines in one year, in a town that small. Yeah, they knew something was going on. Right now, they are trying to cover their own butts. I agree, remove them to.
Money printer goes Brrrrrr. A million dollars a year. It was a "printing press" PD. The town absolutely knew it was happening. The money made questions stop. It's frightening to think what could've happened. They could've literally taken that entire town hostage if they felt the need. khou just saved 250 people in all likelihood.
Congratulations to Mr. Rogowski, KHOU-11, investigative reporting! You embody the best traditions and ideals of the Constitutional Right for a Free Press that informs We the People and holds government accountable.
@@paalexsamaklyne1040you said god.. Lol. Santa Claus is great too then!? Smh... How can an adult be so dumb to believe in something sooo impossible n makes zero sense!? Victims...
They should investigate Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN. Oh wait. A free press is certainly not free, it is own by oligarchs. A truly free press would be a mix that includes a REAL public press accountable to voting citizens directly, and any private press a rich person wants to buy for parasitism off of consumer-types.
This reporter should be nominated for a journalism award. Actual journalism that resulted in actual civic change?? That is unheard of these days. Bravo!!
@@BxCortez2050the million dollars in ticket spread between the 50 cops is only 20k per. There salary has to be way more than that. So it has to be a loss.
-----They were loving all that sweet ticket money. Now investigate the court that enforced the tickets and the city council (past and present) that created this mess in the first place.
Amazing Job! God bless all the hard work you do for our country. When everyone is scared of Law Enforcement, you stood up and practice justice against those that suppress us. God Bless your organization.
All police are just state-sanctioned gangs. Most of them are corrupt, and the same thing that happened here needs to happen all over this country. Abolition Reform is required. Disband them and then recreate a new law enforcement from scratch. The Germans didn’t reform the Gestapo after WWII, they abolished and replaced it.
Don’t stop with the police chief. The Mayor and city council members knew what was going on and should be investigated for where all that money was going.
True, but the problem is local news (television, radio, and newspapers) are underfunded or owned by political leaning entities. Sinclair Broadcasting is a right wing company that owns probably the most. They broadcast shows by Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and others. We saw the numbers of bad officers from January 6 and hear bad stories all of the time. Their union needs to go as well as qualified immunity. That's what allows bad cops to relocate and continue bad behavior. Thank God for RIng cameras and cell phones, but we've all seen crimes by cops and politicians still go unpunished. Bad cops must be locked up and banned period!
Local tend to be less bias and foolish than National or main stream big ones because they aren't elitist-like reporters or more directly in contact with the top of the news folk whom have narratives. Local news sometimes go rouge too lol we have the stories of news reporters revealing stuff locally on the day they quit and air it. If we're being honest, UA-camrs are filling the gap of what Journalist use to be to society. Not random UA-camrs, but dedicated ones that research and tell us the news unfiltered regardless of politics.
Local media is to blame for a lot of the misinformation in big cities & inflate stories that create division. The Media is very biased people don’t be fooled Looks like this newscast had a lot of time & they did a great job but very few do that nowadays!! They drive a liberal leftist agenda aka wokeness & that right there is very scary when common sense is seen as insane!! I'm just saying 😂
That's what i call a BRILLIANT EXAMPLE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, making a true difference in a most positive Way! Respect and regards from ex-journalist from Serbia, EU!
How cute that you want to insist politics aren’t a factor when the city council used the cops to extort their electorate. Sure bud. Nothing political about that.
The mayor and city council needs to be investigated too. The PD was bringing in $1M+ in ticket revenue. There’s no way the mayor and counsel didn’t know what was going on. And now that the PD was shut down, the mayor is claiming there’s no need to investigate further.
I agree with you. Especially when someone in the force filed a complaint with the council about him and they told them to shut up pretty much. They all need to be stood down since they were profiting from that.
Did you miss the part where they were writing over a million dollars in tickets in just one year? That's not even including tax money and other streams of revenue that they undoubtedly have. Hell, if the city is already this corrupt, the odds that they have unethical and even illegal streams of revenue coming in are pretty high. It's disturbing and despicable, to say the least! Not to mention, it's also one of the reasons many of those officers were moonlighting by doing other odd jobs outside of their main law enforcement duties. They weren't all full-time law enforcement officers. Welcome to the U.S.A., though, right? 🇺🇲
@@gNome_5; The thing with the tickets is what I like to call a self-perpetuating money-making scheme. You see that a lot with toll roads and border crossings. They keep taking money, but they never maintain the infrastructure.
I find it hard to believe the mayor and city counsel had no idea they had a 50 person police force and what was going on in the department. It's a real small town, in a small town EVERYONE knows everything going on. I have lived in tiny towns my entire life and it's always the case.
I wonder if the Mayor is former Law enforcement Officer with a "disabled" L.E.O. retirement paycheck & collecting Social security disability benefits also....
@@shawnr771It's pretty funny that you think the city council wasn't getting a cut. They chose the police chief and were aware of all of his hirings, as well as their activity. This was a top-down case of corruption. The mayor and the city council are letting the chief take the fall, hoping that nobody uncovers their part in all of this.
What needs investigating is why a village of 250 people NEEDS a mayor or a city (???) council. How can the village afford to pay for all that hot air ?. I can envisage a time in the future when the village has become a ghost town, yet still has a mayor, and a swarm of law upholders chasing non corporial residents for traffic violations.
No investigation necessary. Mayors & city council members are elected. Residents who don’t like the way their town is run can simply elect the next non-incumbent in every one of these positions. Get the right people in there, run it your way, then blame yourself if it fails to improve. Problem solved without an investigation.
True, this is how you get fabricated stories, crime scene tampering, drugs planted on suspects etc. with an end result of wrongful conviction and the person spending over 20yrs. in prison. Many cases need to be looked at with fresh eyes. Why should an innocent person languish in jail b/c of corrupt cops? I sure wouldn't want to. Plus it sounds like the u were handing out tickets and fines like tickets tacs😆
I think they're more dangerous. They can operate 'under color of authority', at least bad guys are aware of being busted by the cops. Who are cops afraid of?
@@loridean177It gets way worse, they need to investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!! investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!!
They hired a Florida fugitive. What ever happened to background checks? We civilians undergo them regularly before a hire. Excellent journalism KHOU! The residents of Coffee City can live a little easier now.
Still the fact he was arrested in FL should still show up when they do a background check. It sound like someone really dropped the ball and half their brains, because that arrest still should have showed up. He probably talked himself out it with his everyone deserve a second chance bs as his patrol officer arrested people because they cannot passed that road side sobriety test. What cops do not tell you the longer they have you do that eye thing, you eye tire and then start to spasm and twitch, which means you now failed. Have a weak leg that shake, you fail. You have knee surgery, have poor balance you fail. Basically 70% of sober people cannot pass the test, which is hugely subjective. You have blood shot eyes mean you must of used pot. In a state that pot is illegal and you used 7 days ago and a trace shows up you go to jail even though it maybe legal where you took week before. However the ability to effect your driving has long passed.. Pot stays in the fats cell for a real long time and take much longer to clear for a urine test then a blood test. Basically it take nothing for a cop to arrested you for a DUI. I saw one man who blew 0.0 and did a lot better then I ever would on a roadside test and the cop arrested him anyway. Meanwhile if you are asked to do one road side sobriety test have every medical problem like had concussion, hip surgery, knee issue, balance problem, tell them every problem you ever had. Also them because of ortho and other medical problem have, you want a test for someone who is disabled. This is a much easier test because it is more of counting backwards and touching your thumb with you finger thing. Also if they do that eye test for 30 second say out loud while you cops does this " you know when the eyes tire by being in this stress position like this test does it actually cause spasm movement in the eyes" . Now you just put tons of doubt in the whole process.
This investigation deserves an award, to go viral and should be the absolute standard in journalism. Bravo for serving the people of America, small towns to big towns. This police chief and mayor should be charged and be in jail if not prison.
who knows it could be something inherited from the small group of anglo (and anglo indentured servants) petty criminals, carpet baggers, gamblers, and hustlers that infiltrated the land (when still legally owned by Mexico, earlier by Spain for 20 generations) and that through back stabbing, infiltrating, troublemaking behind the border lines, stealing corrientes, trespassing and squatting, etc achieved the goal of separating Tejas from its rightful owners (those that civilized, populated, fought and opened the land to Christianity and western civilization while mixing with its natives).
@benedictcumberbatch4275 do you think this doesn't happen everywhere? Because it's a problem in every state, with every police department. They don't police their own anywhere.
Imagine being the Mayor of a town with 50 police officers and not "fully understanding" where all the money you were paying them was going.... the mayor needs to go along with that whole council
The "mayor" of 250 people. LOL. He is probably getting a cut of the traffic tickets for his pay. People in charge of HOAs have more responsibility and more people to answer to. 250 people don't have the tax base to support 50 cops and a mayor and a city council. Their money is made by traffic violations. And half of the "cops" don't get paid at all. Paid from collecting outstanding tickets with a commision and moonlighting as security. This chief will make a good mob member. He would be considered a good "earner" with this ingenious racket. Amazing what you can do if you just get a few people together and incorporate yourself as a "town" in America. Legalize extortion under the guise of "policing". I wonder why the mob haven't thought of this.
The guy seemed to have innovative ways of making money for the town. They might have even been good, considering the investigative reporting didn't seem to find cases of actual misconduct by the Coffee City police . . . yet.
I’ve lived in Tyler for 24 years and I grew up in Houston. I couldn’t be more proud of my hometown tv investigators for bringing this to light. Thank you.
@@johnjames4567 Thank you. I am a retired print journalist (originally from Houston). As I watched this fine piece of enterprise journalism, I wondered who really did the legwork, the real reporting. TV stations don't normally have the staff, the skills or the inclination to do this.
Absolute textbook investigative journalism. Thank you for your service Jeremy, you not only saved unnecessary stress from the victims but also potentially saved lives.
I am thankful for the bad people of all professions to be removed. There are good and bad in all needed professions. I do wish the good police would be more proactive in the community against the scourge that is gangs. Houston is being over run with violent thugs.
the "chief" doesn't have an original thought in his head. What needs to be investigated is who hired him. It took a news station to perform a background check on a criminal police chief that's had a warrant for almost a decade. When I applied for a nursing license as a student I was required to have an FBI background check before a license was ever issued to me, but this man in charge of public trust doesn't even get the minimum background check.
He didn't. They made a million dollars in traffic tickets and had 50 cops in a town of 250. The mayor and the city council knew what was going on. They might not have set it up, but they benefitted from it and kept their mouths closed when it seemed fishy.
Yup I've seen it myself. A town cop got kicked off the force because of his terrible behaviour and within days he was hired by the county police department...
I instantly got that vibe @jackw3302 😅 but I'm wondering if this dudes life is in danger cus if there's these types of organized crimes, you know this guy might end up looking over his shoulder 🤔 😅
I got a speeding ticket in Coffee City last year and the cop absolutely lied to my face about my speed and actions. I had been behind the same 3 cars for at least 10 miles, all going the speed limit, and he claimed I had been passing people going 15 over. I’ve never argued with a cop before, but I was in a state of pure indignation. Absolutely livid.
@@dr.thriller246 Wouldn't surprise me if they've pissed off the Sheriff's office because of this. Hell, maybe the "viewer" who tipped off the station was the Sheriff himself, lol 🤣😆🤣😆
They're the same way in dibol. Gave me a ticket for 4mph over but I was driving slower than all the other traffic cause I was trying to find my turn and wasn't familiar with the area.
Any police who is dishonorable discharged should not be allowed to wear the uniform ever. Any police who is let go because of disciplinary actions should not be allowed to go to another police department and get hired. Mayor failed to do his job.
@@Adam-om9hu yeah a “real job” law enforcement most of the time are military rejects and domestic abusers or people who need authority to get off the be mad at the statistics not me this video is evidence to that
Well, your typical disciplinary actions don't solely pertain to interactions with the public. They can also stem from insubordinate behavior, such as cursing out superiors or refusing to follow orders. Most of these aren't all that bad. However, a dishonorable discharge signifies severe misconduct, often indicating grave violations against the public, or internal corruption. Such individuals should be held accountable and prevented from serving as police officers in the future.
You guys are what investigative journalism is meant to be. You have changed the lives of citizens, tax payers, and those poor souls who may been the victims of shady police practices. Great job!
Mayor ought to resign too. Willful ignorance or complete incompetence ...which one is it? As the Mayor you ought to know what is going on with your own PD. I suspect that the Mayor (and city council) did know and let this go because of how lucrative the department was for their city budget.
Were all the traffic violations fabricated? If they were all valid, then it looks like good ol' Texans ain't so big on law and order. (We already know they're not)
I feel the mayor knows a lot more than he is leading to believe. He felt the heat and is now of the offense to not get tangled in the evil web!! But coffee county is alone. Many police dept behave this same way. They are the largest gang in the country.
Iy is not easy to get into the blue gang. But once you are in , you are guaranteed a job for life! Unless you refuse to get vaccinated for Covid; that is.
This is investigative reporting the way it was meant to be done. No political bias or commentary, just a focus on research and facts and asking the right questions.
This is why local journalism is so important. We all need to support local coverage and local print, because they take the time to look into issues that effect our neighbourhoods and uncover what larger news coverage cannot focus on. Fantastic work to the team of journalists who thoroughly and responsibly investigated this!
The corporatization of Journalism has been one of the most damaging but still overlooked issues affecting citizens and their relationship to government and civil servants
Jokes on you, this is a corporate owned channel too. It's owned by Tegna, which is based out of Tyson's Corner (just outside of DC). But at least it's not Sinclair.
i supported 1st amandement auditor but this city is so dangerous, their entire department already violated their oath, what makes you think the auditor not gonna get shoot on the site with bodycam turned off???
Qualified immunity only works if the officers did not violate policy or clearly established law. If he/ she is outside that then there’s no qualified immunity. Qualified immunity exists to protect the people doing the right thing from frivolous action. It does not protect people doing the wrong thing. And a judge has to exam the case to determine if it applies or not.
I’m not saying it’s not true, but most other police departments aren’t fully staffed and haven’t been for a long time. This is gross. This is wrong. Thanks for covering it.
why is it that a disgraced "police chief" that obviously was a 'legal mob boss', is allowed to walk freely around in public. He's a disgrace to the honor of the profession and should be made to feel the full weight of how the law works against criminals. Thank you KHOU 11 and Jeremy for the investigative reporting.
Because when you're part of the boot on the neck of the people, you can do whatever you want with no concern for repercussions! You work for the government, and don't ever forget it.
Why is someone who illegally retained national security secret documents while hobnobbing with enemy governments still walking around farting in our face?
Out of the way, small town police departments, can so easily fall into corruption because they are off the radar. Kudos to the citizens for calling attention to it and KHOU for following through with its investigation. This is what keeps America great, ethical, civic minded citizens and free press.
Maybe small town shouldn’t have police departments. It be easier to more that cost to the state or federal level and maybe keep a smaller sheriff department or something. That how it done in Canada. Smaller towns and villages has its police from a provincial or federal force.
@@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing I was think mostly for budgetary reasons. Since police forces are expensive, but small town corruption is also a issue. Having a state or federal police service means their also a stronger oversight committee(depending on how it structured) where as small town cops are harder to police or file complaints about.
THIS is why I will always support auditors whether they're polite or rude... and WHY aren't more journalists doing this kinda of work rather than reading verbatim from press releases? ... we see THAT too
Qualified immunity and the ability to police themselves are the root of the problems. They protect each other and are allowed to lie with no repercussions. It’s disgraceful and creates an environment that encourages criminal behavior.
Take away qualified immunity you will never again have police applying. Nobody will ever want to be police. You need to stop allowing frivolous lawsuits against police and prosecute cops based on the specific crime. Otherwise you might as well just let criminals take over, give away your belongings and quit your job because thugs will take it in a matter of time anyways.
@@Dyingforlifepeople always want to go to suing cops through cause it's easy to point that finger. Criminals like to play victims when money is easy to get in this day of age with liberal ambulance chasers.
I agree. Clearly the citizens have felt 'over-policed' for some time. You would think that there would have been a few calls made to the mayor's office on the matter.
Hats off to that investigative journalist!!! That’s how to conduct an investigation. Hopefully, the new Chief will have some integrity and investigative experience.
Imagine being the mayor of a town with a blatant abuse of police powder situation and being interviewed in a dirty shirt and shorts. No wonder Coffee City is as crap as it is.
The mayor doesn't have clean hands on this situation either. He was either in on what the police department was doing or is too incompetent to run a city. The Mayor of a city is in charge of the Chief of Police. The chief of police answers to the mayor.
Local journalism isn’t a huge money maker but it deserves to be propped up when you get results like these. We can never let it die. Great investigation.
Please look into the city council and Mayor next. Between some of the reactions you posted and a comment reported by a CBS where he stated that deactivating the police force meant no further investigation was needed, the mayor especially seems incredibly sketchy.
The mayor might not have known about the history, but he and the council sure knew they had 1 officer for every five residents. Hard to believe they didn't know something shady was going on. Don't stop the investigation.
It may be possible for the mayor to not really know. If the chief is entrusted with all the hiring, pays for uniforms and equipment without consulting with the city council. He probably has his general budget approved each year by the board, with the ticket revenue coming in he probably had excellent funding for line items in his budget....salaries. uniforms, equipment, squad cars, etc....with the overall budget approved he probably had a very generous cadh fund or petty cash fund...with the city flush with money from traffic fines why bother with oversight, just trust the chief to spend as he sees fit...easier for them, easier for the chief. As I see it there should be a close look to see if any kick back schemes were going on with, maybe not every member of the council, but certainly ones assigned to the police committee and the mayor.
It did seem a bit hypocritical that he hired people to grab and/or fine people for FTAs, yet he was one. "Welcome to Florida! Come on vacation. Leave on probation!"
Jeremy Rogalski is one of the best interigator/interviewers I've ever seen. He never batted an eyelid interviewing that cop. And it is obvious by the wash-up, of this sordid business, that he is an indefatigable worker. Well done, JR!
Nouthing but a bunch of road pirates. The city officials didn’t care as long as the ticket revenue came in.. at least they sided care tial the story broke
Brother the police have been like this since their inception. This is a organized crime syndicate who harass citizens if they speak out, who kill animals and citizens if they deem them out of line, they steal, defraud, and do so much illegal shit while saying how they will protect and serve. The Supreme Court said they don't have to protect and serve anyone so who are they for? This is happening all over the country right now.
That's everywhere. They have qoutas. Judges get voted in and some of that is based on arrests,how many ppl are in jail under him/her. It's all profit for the courts and state. Cops are soldiers for the state not for us. Not all are corrupt though but the whole system is diseased which is why judgement is waiting repent
I'll never call the bastards. Unless I want someone murdered or I want someone's pet shot. Law enforcement is made up of narcissists and sociopaths who enjoy kidnapping people for profit. They're scum
Gotta love how any regular person with a criminal past has a negative chance of getting a job but somehow it is perfectly "ok" for a cop to have a criminal past
What really needs to happen is AMERICA needs a National Registry for Bad Officers fired for dishonourable service. So they can never apply at another Agency to continue their abuse. Time to hold these thugs with badges ACCOUNTABLE.
Yea those bad eggs somehow tend to fall back into the container don't they ...
End Immunity at all levels of government and One Set of Law for All.
Definitely. It’s just too much common sense though.
They tried to establish a database like the one you're talking about. It got buried in the House, or the senate.
I agree 100%. Law enforcement is one of the three top careers that domestic abusers go into. That means there are too many who are there for the power of it. We need to have a registry to keep track of them all.
This is why investigative journalism is so critically important.
That's the reason George Santa got elected.
Exactly. The killing of American journalism of the mid 2000s and on has had far reaching impacts and one of them is accountability of public officials.
The killing of American journalism was a watershed moment in history. It arose from corporations buying newspapers, news stations, and such. They targeted and dismantled investigative journalism and any other apparatus that was holding them accountable.
That why that was stopped a long time ago. Money talks and reporters listen or loose jobs. Can't imagine how this happened. Somebody slipped
@@pamsing3012Someone slipped up? Like the Mayor of Coffee City who hired this guy & defended him for years? $1 million in city tax revenues is enough to look the other way!
@@terhgasabeha9552you misspelled Brandon Biden.
How does a mayor and city council not question why it takes 50 officers to police a village of 250 folks. Patently absurd. Ludicrous.
Maybe we will find out if some of the aggressive officers spill the beans, unless they are paid off
Thank you. This was my question as well. Maybe the money they were bringing in harassing the citizens outweighed the need to investigate. The mayor & council needs to be investigated as well.
The Mayor and city council officials should be investigated...Why didn't he know of what was going on in his town?!..🤦🏾
How could Mayor Blackstone act like he's not aware of the numerous police cars and officers in his town? The people who live there certainly were aware. I believe that the mayor and others were in on this money-making traffic ticket racket. My parents lived in a small town of 2,500. They have two police officers. For over 50 years, just two officers were needed. I agree with the commenters here about that this is what journalism should be.
the rot runs deep
Federal law should mandate that any cop who has criminal charges pending their certification is suspended. Found guilty their certification is the first to go.
good luck with that.
@@phyl1283: police unions would never allow that.
@@arievena19744 Texas Republicans would object before unions.
Government holding itself accountable that's funny
Doesn't matter, they would ignore it .
It's interesting how "ignorance of the law is no excuse" except if you're a police officer
Or a Supreme Court judge.
It’s not even ignorance but deliberate hiring to consolidate his own power!
in the greatest country in the world.
Is no one going to talk about the elephant in the room? This whole setup was to make a ton of money for the city and the mayor is neck deep in it. They were racking in over a million $$$ in traffic fines to mostly out of town people passing through, by issuing speed trap tickets and then hounding them for payment like lone sharks. This whole city needs to be investigated.
💯 !!!!
This is what I’ve been saying- sounds like the who city government is culpable. Follow the money.
Not counting all the money being made working private “police”
$$$$
You know some cash was sent back up to the “bosses”
I figured traffic fines were the cash cow that motivated this arrangement. Probably most of the town's budget came from that source so like you say how could the mayor be unaware. Amazing it didn't occur to this reporter to question how this small town could afford to pay so many cops.
Over 1million however since coffee city is a transit through place alot are from out of town or even state. Which is why most of the 50 cops are"performance driven" that don't live in that city and work remotely a few days a week part-time and are paid for each one they close out and collect on. Pretty shitty and completely corrupt. I don't think the city is bringing in that full amount but you would be pretty hands off to not notice what's happening from a books/budget perspective.
Imagine being arrested by a police officer, who themselves has an active warrant.
That’s scary , you are so CORRECT ‼️
That's fkd up. I once had a landlord who was on crack. That was one of the most bizarre two years of my life.
@@RasheedGazzi-u5l. Big difference between a landlord and a police officer. 😂 You’d fit right in over at the Coffee City police station! 😅
@@stephaniemanchester-chermo3840they’re both not real jobs
I mean, that sounds fe'd up but until they are arrested themselves they still have to do their job right? So like if they have an Active warrant are they not suppose to chase down the guy that just robbed you if you ask them for assistance and it happens to be a a-hole cop? Many bad cops actually do parts of their job, they're just bad and we don't know until they're exposed, then there are a-hole cops whom are just all around bad and don't do their job at all. Your parents or guardians were hypocrites at times raising you, did you say "uh uh guys, you guys lied before, no punishment for me alright, better luck next incident".
The mayor's toupee was too tight. Great job, we need more journalists like you on the job.
I can't believe he sat there on the couch wearing shorts for a TV interview he looked ridiculous
This man singlehandedly destroyed a whole corrupt police department in a calm demeanor with pure facts
It doesn't take much. The cops are a criminal gang that use the same tricks everywhere. If you can think more than 1 to 2 steps ahead, and you have the truth, you can easily expose them as the sadistic thugs they are.
You took the words right out of my mouth. It only took (one ) person to do the right thing for their small town, kudos to that person, kudos indeed.
Portillo a huge liar as well as a bad cop. Good journalism so the people of Texas could see him lie and spin.
@@davidadausuel4537It gets way worse, they need to investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!! investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!!
This guys a legend
This garbage police officer was hired with an active warrant! Absolutely insane!
He said it was disposed off..But immediately after the interview, retained a lawyer to fight the ticket
🐖
@@AlbertoGonzalez..amen brother
Wow. You can make this up. I keep telling people, the real crooks are in blue! They are sworn crooks.
Welcome to police state USA
No way the city council and the mayor did not know that this was going on. They should all be removed as well.
The officers in that department didn't fund themselves. follow the money.
I'm from the area Tyler I didn't even know they had a town hall I thought it was a community
Over a million dollars in traffic fines in one year, in a town that small. Yeah, they knew something was going on. Right now, they are trying to cover their own butts. I agree, remove them to.
Money printer goes Brrrrrr. A million dollars a year. It was a "printing press" PD. The town absolutely knew it was happening.
The money made questions stop.
It's frightening to think what could've happened. They could've literally taken that entire town hostage if they felt the need.
khou just saved 250 people in all likelihood.
Wow
Congratulations to Mr. Rogowski, KHOU-11, investigative reporting! You embody the best traditions and ideals of the Constitutional Right for a Free Press that informs We the People and holds government accountable.
Never thought I’d see the day an entire department was dismantled due to alleged corruption. Sets a great and new precedent. Great job.
this was not a police department ,this was a hide out for criminal with long rap sheets, bobbing the tac payer
Theatrics
The days of the "good ol boys" network are coming to an end.
@@jimmiehouse7736that’s what a police department is
Same thing should have happened with Uvalde
This is a perfect example of why good journalists are so important. Excellent job.
Best comment yet!
They police the police
I sent this to The RCMP in 🇨🇦
Journalists too take bribes. The power of money from the devil's that very few people can resist. Puji Tuhan! Praise God 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@paalexsamaklyne1040you said god.. Lol. Santa Claus is great too then!? Smh... How can an adult be so dumb to believe in something sooo impossible n makes zero sense!? Victims...
This is an example of great journalism. Thank you for exposing these dirty, corrupt cops.
ACAB
He stole his story from other channels. Ive seen videos of this for about a week now
don't think so. look back at all the footage it belongs to khou11@@walkingdeadman4208
👍👍👍👍
@@FreedomStrike76 and you're being taught that and you constantly give yourself confirmation bias
The Mayor should resign because he allowed this to happen on his watch !!
The mayor had to know. if he didn't he was also incompetent and corrupt as wekk.
You know the mayor was getting his perks
He should be charged and fired more like it
No the mayor needs to be put in jail for the knowledge of illegal activities of HIS police force
This is EXACTLY why a free press is so important: it holds those in power accountable to the public.
They should investigate our government .
They should investigate Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN. Oh wait. A free press is certainly not free, it is own by oligarchs. A truly free press would be a mix that includes a REAL public press accountable to voting citizens directly, and any private press a rich person wants to buy for parasitism off of consumer-types.
And why certain people are constantly telling you not to believe anything the media says.
@@thetruthisoutthere8598 They just did. Are you watching this video? That's what this is.
@@Ojja78 sorry, I was meaning federal but didn't put that in there
This reporter should be nominated for a journalism award. Actual journalism that resulted in actual civic change?? That is unheard of these days. Bravo!!
Just like OMGs James O'Keefe!😊
In what way is this not a gang.. they’re going around shaking down people for money and paying themselves enormous salaries.. how is this not a gang
@@willreasoner4472who said it wasn’t what are you talking about who are you even talking to weirdo
@@willreasoner4472the cop needs to get cheese jammed through his nostrils
100%!
It’s impossible that the city council was unaware of this. They’re taking swift action to cover their own asses.
they definitely benefitted from all the revenue that was generated by overpolicing the town.
Money wad comming in from all them tickets
@@BxCortez2050the million dollars in ticket spread between the 50 cops is only 20k per. There salary has to be way more than that. So it has to be a loss.
They were scamming funds from the gov't and funneled it into their bank accounts. Cops were getting paid $50-$100 K per year. It's a/k/a kleptocracy.
-----They were loving all that sweet ticket money. Now investigate the court that enforced the tickets and the city council (past and present) that created this mess in the first place.
Amazing Job! God bless all the hard work you do for our country. When everyone is scared of Law Enforcement, you stood up and practice justice against those that suppress us. God Bless your organization.
That's not a police department; it's organized crime. Those citizens have every right to do something about it.
Most of those citizens (The white ones) in Texas? Oh they def support this
All police are just state-sanctioned gangs. Most of them are corrupt, and the same thing that happened here needs to happen all over this country. Abolition Reform is required. Disband them and then recreate a new law enforcement from scratch. The Germans didn’t reform the Gestapo after WWII, they abolished and replaced it.
Lol Police Departments are Organized crime organizations.
And then you realize that EVERY police department is organized crime..
Yes, it an organized crime syndicate. It’s despicable and criminal.
Don’t stop with the police chief.
The Mayor and city council members knew what was going on and should be investigated for where all that money was going.
Yup
Indeed. There is no way they didn’t know. No way.
The Top Cop in the state is corrupt AF too, so, yeah, it doesn’t stop with the local police chief. In fact, it doesn’t stop at all.
Right...
Following the money always exposes the truth.
Remember, the people in coffee city elected those people. Just like in Austin and San Francisco. Sometimes you get what you vote for.
This is why local news needs more support. Local news is vital to the communities they serve.
True, but the problem is local news (television, radio, and newspapers) are underfunded or owned by political leaning entities. Sinclair Broadcasting is a right wing company that owns probably the most. They broadcast shows by Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and others. We saw the numbers of bad officers from January 6 and hear bad stories all of the time. Their union needs to go as well as qualified immunity. That's what allows bad cops to relocate and continue bad behavior. Thank God for RIng cameras and cell phones, but we've all seen crimes by cops and politicians still go unpunished. Bad cops must be locked up and banned period!
Not in South Carolina,dirty cops and judges, prosecutors,we are at the mercy of these POS.
Local tend to be less bias and foolish than National or main stream big ones because they aren't elitist-like reporters or more directly in contact with the top of the news folk whom have narratives. Local news sometimes go rouge too lol we have the stories of news reporters revealing stuff locally on the day they quit and air it. If we're being honest, UA-camrs are filling the gap of what Journalist use to be to society. Not random UA-camrs, but dedicated ones that research and tell us the news unfiltered regardless of politics.
ONLY WHEN THEY SPEW THE TRUTH.
Local media is to blame for a lot of the misinformation in big cities & inflate stories that create division.
The Media is very biased people don’t be fooled
Looks like this newscast had a lot of time & they did a great job but very few do that nowadays!! They drive a liberal leftist agenda aka wokeness & that right there is very scary when common sense is seen as insane!! I'm just saying 😂
That's what i call a BRILLIANT EXAMPLE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, making a true difference in a most positive Way!
Respect and regards from ex-journalist from Serbia, EU!
This is what journalism should be, not political beliefs or right vs left.
This was somebody with a lot of money who they pissed off big time!!! Wish the media could be this honest all the time!!!
While this is good journalism, they have left a lot of people of the hook.
They were quick to disband the department to stop the bleeding
How cute that you want to insist politics aren’t a factor when the city council used the cops to extort their electorate. Sure bud. Nothing political about that.
most journalism is. the reality is people don't like it when it goes against political/dogmatic narratives (on both left and right).
I cant agree more!
The mayor and city council needs to be investigated too. The PD was bringing in $1M+ in ticket revenue. There’s no way the mayor and counsel didn’t know what was going on. And now that the PD was shut down, the mayor is claiming there’s no need to investigate further.
That's what i said as i was watching this. He knew they all knew.
That's at least 4,000 usd a year per person in fines. How is that affordable? Or is that from other towns/jobs?
They definitely need to investigate further.
I agree with you. Especially when someone in the force filed a complaint with the council about him and they told them to shut up pretty much. They all need to be stood down since they were profiting from that.
@@I-didnt-ask-youdefinitely people just passing through. 5 miles over the speed limit? Fine
How on earth would they pay 50 officers from the taxes of 250 people. This is the kind of investigative reporting we all need. Congrats KHOU 11.
Did you miss the part where they were writing over a million dollars in tickets in just one year? That's not even including tax money and other streams of revenue that they undoubtedly have. Hell, if the city is already this corrupt, the odds that they have unethical and even illegal streams of revenue coming in are pretty high. It's disturbing and despicable, to say the least!
Not to mention, it's also one of the reasons many of those officers were moonlighting by doing other odd jobs outside of their main law enforcement duties. They weren't all full-time law enforcement officers.
Welcome to the U.S.A., though, right? 🇺🇲
@@gNome_5they probably had huge swat team toys to cruise around in too.
@@napoleonbonerfart278
No doubt! 🙄
@@gNome_5; The thing with the tickets is what I like to call a self-perpetuating money-making scheme. You see that a lot with toll roads and border crossings. They keep taking money, but they never maintain the infrastructure.
Most weren’t paid by the city. This was a front for security in Houston. I’m sure the Chief was paid to make sure there was security there.
thank you, jeremy and KHOU for doing actual investigative journalism. this is much too rare and must be applauded.
imagine this guy is more credible in the eyes of the court than your honorable citizen.
But, of course! And it’s not organized crime! Thank goodness! Lol.
Im not sure how anyone can believe a cop without great evidence. Too many cops on videos lying. Cops are the biggest liars on earth.
Nice ❤
That's an EXTREMELY scary thought.
Disgusting isn't it
I find it hard to believe the mayor and city counsel had no idea they had a 50 person police force and what was going on in the department. It's a real small town, in a small town EVERYONE knows everything going on. I have lived in tiny towns my entire life and it's always the case.
Yep, mayor and city council are in on it. Probably embezzling money from it too. Time to clean house
The city council is probably mad they were not getting a cut of the money.
I wonder if the Mayor is former Law enforcement Officer with a "disabled" L.E.O. retirement paycheck & collecting Social security disability benefits also....
@@shawnr771It's pretty funny that you think the city council wasn't getting a cut. They chose the police chief and were aware of all of his hirings, as well as their activity. This was a top-down case of corruption. The mayor and the city council are letting the chief take the fall, hoping that nobody uncovers their part in all of this.
I was having the same thoughts.
We want the mayor and city council investigated!
What needs investigating is why a village of 250 people NEEDS a mayor or a city (???) council. How can the village afford to pay for all that hot air ?. I can envisage a time in the future when the village has become a ghost town, yet still has a mayor, and a swarm of law upholders chasing non corporial residents for traffic violations.
They were elected after the chief was hired.
@@shookfngThey should have known then.
No investigation necessary. Mayors & city council members are elected. Residents who don’t like the way their town is run can simply elect the next non-incumbent in every one of these positions. Get the right people in there, run it your way, then blame yourself if it fails to improve. Problem solved without an investigation.
@@FrankBrown-c5l 🤣
This is what news channels should be doing all over the country!
This reporting should be winning an Edward R. Murrow award. It is an example of real, unbiased journalism that makes a difference.
100%
I agree ☝🏼
National Holiday,,,the MSM did something Good and Didnt Lie,,,,,,,First time since 1871
Word
Typical Texas town where the citizen's are held hostage.
Incompetent & unprofessional law enforcement are as much a danger to the community as any common felonious thug!
True, this is how you get fabricated stories, crime scene tampering, drugs planted on suspects etc. with an end result of wrongful conviction and the person spending over 20yrs. in prison. Many cases need to be looked at with fresh eyes. Why should an innocent person languish in jail b/c of corrupt cops? I sure wouldn't want to. Plus it sounds like the u were handing out tickets and fines like tickets tacs😆
Thesewere not just u professional, they were a legalized maffia
I think they're more dangerous. They can operate 'under color of authority', at least bad guys are aware of being busted by the cops. Who are cops afraid of?
@@loridean177It gets way worse, they need to investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!! investigate the Maui Police Chief and his officers who blocked people trying to flee the Lahaina fire!!
More so. They have immunity.
They hired a Florida fugitive. What ever happened to background checks? We civilians undergo them regularly before a hire. Excellent journalism KHOU! The residents of Coffee City can live a little easier now.
Not for Cops though, they are part of the machine that keeps you enslaved to the matrix.
It’s Texas
Still the fact he was arrested in FL should still show up when they do a background check. It sound like someone really dropped the ball and half their brains, because that arrest still should have showed up. He probably talked himself out it with his everyone deserve a second chance bs as his patrol officer arrested people because they cannot passed that road side sobriety test. What cops do not tell you the longer they have you do that eye thing, you eye tire and then start to spasm and twitch, which means you now failed. Have a weak leg that shake, you fail. You have knee surgery, have poor balance you fail. Basically 70% of sober people cannot pass the test, which is hugely subjective. You have blood shot eyes mean you must of used pot. In a state that pot is illegal and you used 7 days ago and a trace shows up you go to jail even though it maybe legal where you took week before. However the ability to effect your driving has long passed.. Pot stays in the fats cell for a real long time and take much longer to clear for a urine test then a blood test. Basically it take nothing for a cop to arrested you for a DUI. I saw one man who blew 0.0 and did a lot better then I ever would on a roadside test and the cop arrested him anyway. Meanwhile if you are asked to do one road side sobriety test have every medical problem like had concussion, hip surgery, knee issue, balance problem, tell them every problem you ever had. Also them because of ortho and other medical problem have, you want a test for someone who is disabled. This is a much easier test because it is more of counting backwards and touching your thumb with you finger thing. Also if they do that eye test for 30 second say out loud while you cops does this " you know when the eyes tire by being in this stress position like this test does it actually cause spasm movement in the eyes" . Now you just put tons of doubt in the whole process.
Cops are civilians
I don’t even live in Texas and was drawn to watch this entire series. Amazing investigative journalism. We need more of this in this country 👏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾
This investigation deserves an award, to go viral and should be the absolute standard in journalism. Bravo for serving the people of America, small towns to big towns.
This police chief and mayor should be charged and be in jail if not prison.
It's actually really interesting when journalists do their job properly.
Yeah, we could use A LOT more of that in this country. Especially with politicians.
As a seventh generation Texan, it is disgusting the level of good old boy corruption that thrives in the current mileau.
who knows it could be something inherited from the small group of anglo (and anglo indentured servants) petty criminals, carpet baggers, gamblers, and hustlers that infiltrated the land (when still legally owned by Mexico, earlier by Spain for 20 generations) and that through back stabbing, infiltrating, troublemaking behind the border lines, stealing corrientes, trespassing and squatting, etc achieved the goal of separating Tejas from its rightful owners (those that civilized, populated, fought and opened the land to Christianity and western civilization while mixing with its natives).
My family had been human for many generations and we don’t like corruption either.
Must be the deep southern culture still embedded in your area.
@@benedictcumberbatch4275 What is the reason your own culture is twisted?
@benedictcumberbatch4275 do you think this doesn't happen everywhere? Because it's a problem in every state, with every police department. They don't police their own anywhere.
Great journalism! It helped everyone connect the dots and shines the light on how bad people seek powerful police officer positions.
Imagine being the Mayor of a town with 50 police officers and not "fully understanding" where all the money you were paying them was going.... the mayor needs to go along with that whole council
Plenty of towns have 50 officers. It’s that a town with only 250 residents has 50 officers…
The "mayor" of 250 people. LOL. He is probably getting a cut of the traffic tickets for his pay. People in charge of HOAs have more responsibility and more people to answer to.
250 people don't have the tax base to support 50 cops and a mayor and a city council. Their money is made by traffic violations. And half of the "cops" don't get paid at all. Paid from collecting outstanding tickets with a commision and moonlighting as security. This chief will make a good mob member. He would be considered a good "earner" with this ingenious racket.
Amazing what you can do if you just get a few people together and incorporate yourself as a "town" in America. Legalize extortion under the guise of "policing". I wonder why the mob haven't thought of this.
There's a lot more dirt to dig up. The reporter should keep digging.
The guy seemed to have innovative ways of making money for the town. They might have even been good, considering the investigative reporting didn't seem to find cases of actual misconduct by the Coffee City police . . . yet.
@@RevToxbootlicker spotted
I’ve lived in Tyler for 24 years and I grew up in Houston. I couldn’t be more proud of my hometown tv investigators for bringing this to light. Thank you.
they didn't bring this story ....a citizen journalist did....
@@johnjames4567who was it???
@johnjames4567 that's exactly what I said. Lying cops lying politicians we can deal with,but lying news agencies can bing down the country .
@@johnjames4567 Thank you. I am a retired print journalist (originally from Houston). As I watched this fine piece of enterprise journalism, I wondered who really did the legwork, the real reporting. TV stations don't normally have the staff, the skills or the inclination to do this.
Shoutout to The Toadies!
Absolute textbook investigative journalism. Thank you for your service Jeremy, you not only saved unnecessary stress from the victims but also potentially saved lives.
Yeah...but if the Chief's name was Trump, half of the people in the country would say this was FAKE news.
I am thankful for the bad people of all professions to be removed. There are good and bad in all needed professions. I do wish the good police would be more proactive in the community against the scourge that is gangs. Houston is being over run with violent thugs.
@@whatsyourdream Yes, the gangs in blue.
Both
@@whiskeykilmer1866if you want to see a gang and blue give me your address
Absolutely fantastic work. Thank you for caring about others.
the "chief" doesn't have an original thought in his head. What needs to be investigated is who hired him. It took a news station to perform a background check on a criminal police chief that's had a warrant for almost a decade. When I applied for a nursing license as a student I was required to have an FBI background check before a license was ever issued to me, but this man in charge of public trust doesn't even get the minimum background check.
Some say you can't out the mouse to guard the cheese
Great point!!
As far as who hired him, it was whomever the mayor was back in 2021. That means if it's not the current one, then it was his predecessor
Some good old boy networking going on here.
It is so scary that he was able to put that all in place without anyone questioning him
😮
its texas, the majority of the town will fellate the officers if asked.
He didn't. They made a million dollars in traffic tickets and had 50 cops in a town of 250. The mayor and the city council knew what was going on. They might not have set it up, but they benefitted from it and kept their mouths closed when it seemed fishy.
Sounds like centerville ga They have more cops than stop signs..ugh
I'd be looking into the Mayor
Anyone who’s got a ticket from that force should form a class action lawsuit against them!
Absolutely
Yep
it would be them paying themselves...
@hermeticascetic
the stretch of road that the cops ticketed were people traveling through. The majority of the tickets went to out of towners
Yes, and get their million dollars back!
249 people 50 cops and it needed an informer to highlight this .
Absolute and disgrace to the justice system .
Texas? What a shocker!
Tuck Fexas.
Domestic terrorist impersonating law enforcement called Police Forces is a dishonor to our common lore justice system !!!!
This guy brought down a whole police force.
Best investigation story I heard in a while.
Great work
This happens all over the US. They just shuffle the bad cops around to different precincts after they mess up in one place.
Yup I've seen it myself. A town cop got kicked off the force because of his terrible behaviour and within days he was hired by the county police department...
You're Absolutely Correct 👍
Wow ‼️
Bad priests, pastors, youth councilors, teachers, youth case workers,etc. That’s how the Vegas cop got hired in Maui.
Yep,just like they do pedophile priests, just ship them to another Parrish or precient.disgusting.all.
Nobody believes the Mayor was truly unaware. You can't hide the payroll for christ sakes 😂
So happy there are still real reporters that get results.
Now THIS is journalism. Great work. No bias, just facts.
Of course this story was covered by other journalists first but hey maybe this journalist will admit he borrowed the story right
@@joshuahenning2118 You're incredibly unintelligent Joshua, it's the same story by the same people, when old people use the internet:
I instantly got that vibe @jackw3302 😅 but I'm wondering if this dudes life is in danger cus if there's these types of organized crimes, you know this guy might end up looking over his shoulder 🤔 😅
I got a speeding ticket in Coffee City last year and the cop absolutely lied to my face about my speed and actions. I had been behind the same 3 cars for at least 10 miles, all going the speed limit, and he claimed I had been passing people going 15 over. I’ve never argued with a cop before, but I was in a state of pure indignation. Absolutely livid.
I had the same issue 2 years ago. The town is a trap and the town isn’t very big so I think they are running past their jurisdiction
Buy a dashcam
@@dr.thriller246 Wouldn't surprise me if they've pissed off the Sheriff's office because of this. Hell, maybe the "viewer" who tipped off the station was the Sheriff himself, lol 🤣😆🤣😆
They're the same way in dibol. Gave me a ticket for 4mph over but I was driving slower than all the other traffic cause I was trying to find my turn and wasn't familiar with the area.
I know, you just have to bend over and take it!
The DOJ should investigate because this is racketeering. Texas has let this go on for years. The entire city council should go to jail
The Department of Injustice is too busy making up indictments for the top presidential candidate in the nearest election.
The DOJ, FBI, ATF, DHS, etc. all support this type of law enforcement.
@@RevToxWhat indictments would those be?
@@RevToxKeep sipping on that treasonous copium.
Way to go Jeremy Rogalski. Very nicely and honorably done. Thank you
Any police who is dishonorable discharged should not be allowed to wear the uniform ever. Any police who is let go because of disciplinary actions should not be allowed to go to another police department and get hired. Mayor failed to do his job.
Lol law enforcement is a joke military members get held more accountable than law enforcement 😂
@ShotByMoo whats your point? Different job?
Sounds like they took a page out of the catholic's program
@@Adam-om9hu yeah a “real job” law enforcement most of the time are military rejects and domestic abusers or people who need authority to get off the be mad at the statistics not me this video is evidence to that
Well, your typical disciplinary actions don't solely pertain to interactions with the public. They can also stem from insubordinate behavior, such as cursing out superiors or refusing to follow orders. Most of these aren't all that bad.
However, a dishonorable discharge signifies severe misconduct, often indicating grave violations against the public, or internal corruption. Such individuals should be held accountable and prevented from serving as police officers in the future.
There is nothing worse than a crooked cop or cops, in this case. Love when justice is served.
Crooked politicians, too!
What abut a crooked President?
@@jerrycooper7300you mean like Joe?
All cops are crooked.
@@GailPatterson-y6dno he was talking about Trumps Criminal Orange Arse.
You guys are what investigative journalism is meant to be. You have changed the lives of citizens, tax payers, and those poor souls who may been the victims of shady police practices. Great job!
Meanwhile Gannett is hiring a Taylor Swift reporter....
Except I notice that not once is the mayor and company's political affiliation is ever revealed. Which tells me everything I need to know...
Political affiliation determines legality? How so?
This comment deserves a million likes!!
@@raouldelacruz9677he's saying there's way more blame to go around then just Chief Portillo
Hats off for this investigation team! Well done.
Mayor ought to resign too. Willful ignorance or complete incompetence ...which one is it? As the Mayor you ought to know what is going on with your own PD. I suspect that the Mayor (and city council) did know and let this go because of how lucrative the department was for their city budget.
Nooo sir.. Mayor met the chief there. Yes, he should have done more
Were all the traffic violations fabricated? If they were all valid, then it looks like good ol' Texans ain't so big on law and order. (We already know they're not)
The Mayor and City Council seems to think you can NEVER have too many COPS or Loot they dump into the city coffers..
I feel the mayor knows a lot more than he is leading to believe.
He felt the heat and is now of the offense to not get tangled in the evil web!!
But coffee county is alone. Many police dept behave this same way.
They are the largest gang in the country.
Iy is not easy to get into the blue gang. But once you are in , you are guaranteed a job for life! Unless you refuse to get vaccinated for Covid; that is.
This is investigative reporting the way it was meant to be done. No political bias or commentary, just a focus on research and facts and asking the right questions.
Stop watching Ben Shapiro and look at your local news
@@mordakie3805stop watching CNN and look at your local news
This is why local journalism is so important. We all need to support local coverage and local print, because they take the time to look into issues that effect our neighbourhoods and uncover what larger news coverage cannot focus on. Fantastic work to the team of journalists who thoroughly and responsibly investigated this!
Thays exactly why this video needs more views and likes. So does your comment 👍
The corporatization of Journalism has been one of the most damaging but still overlooked issues affecting citizens and their relationship to government and civil servants
Jokes on you, this is a corporate owned channel too. It's owned by Tegna, which is based out of Tyson's Corner (just outside of DC). But at least it's not Sinclair.
i supported 1st amandement auditor but this city is so dangerous, their entire department already violated their oath, what makes you think the auditor not gonna get shoot on the site with bodycam turned off???
Damn good journalism and a real breath of fresh air!
END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY. HOLD THEM ALL ACCOUNTABLE. The fact that this is even able to happen is sickening.
No doubt
Agreed. And bad behavior works on many ways
No wonder the cartels are taking over Texas. Look at the “police officers”
@@fishy2939 ??? You're the one commenting here too my guy
Qualified immunity only works if the officers did not violate policy or clearly established law. If he/ she is outside that then there’s no qualified immunity. Qualified immunity exists to protect the people doing the right thing from frivolous action. It does not protect people doing the wrong thing. And a judge has to exam the case to determine if it applies or not.
Why are we so delusional to think this isn't happening in every town, city ,parish, county all over this country.
It does all over the the country
That's why we need more real journalists and citizens with cameras
I’m not saying it’s not true, but most other police departments aren’t fully staffed and haven’t been for a long time. This is gross. This is wrong. Thanks for covering it.
Same reason people liked to pretend tht America has no racism. It forces peopel to ponder uncomfortable truths.
They were scamming funds from the gov't and funneled it into their bank accounts. Cops were getting paid $50-$100 K per year. It's a/k/a kleptocracy.
How can the taxes paid by 250 residents pay the salaries of 50 cops?
We can afford anything ask Ukraine 😂
Traffic tickets from people passing through the highway
Apparently, they were siphoning off the fines from those 5000 tickets. Yeah, isn't that creepy.
I’m one of the tickets myself 😂 definitely entrapment
@dr.thriller246 wow so you're from coffee city? So see pigs every half mile? 😂
THIS NEEDS TO BE SENT TO DOJ!
How can the Mayor and his office not know what was going on?! I'm calling BS!
couldnt have happened without higher ups in state police
why is it that a disgraced "police chief" that obviously was a 'legal mob boss', is allowed to walk freely around in public. He's a disgrace to the honor of the profession and should be made to feel the full weight of how the law works against criminals. Thank you KHOU 11 and Jeremy for the investigative reporting.
Because when you're part of the boot on the neck of the people, you can do whatever you want with no concern for repercussions!
You work for the government, and don't ever forget it.
There is NO honor in that profession. Period. I don't care what their plans, hopes, and intentions are when they start.
Why is someone who illegally retained national security secret documents while hobnobbing with enemy governments still walking around farting in our face?
Tax dollars are literally funding “legal” gangs.
Freakin’ sick of this crap
He has a target on his back, all are welcome to go after him now.
Out of the way, small town police departments, can so easily fall into corruption because they are off the radar. Kudos to the citizens for calling attention to it and KHOU for following through with its investigation. This is what keeps America great, ethical, civic minded citizens and free press.
****Laughs in Boss Hogg****
Maybe small town shouldn’t have police departments. It be easier to more that cost to the state or federal level and maybe keep a smaller sheriff department or something. That how it done in Canada. Smaller towns and villages has its police from a provincial or federal force.
What happened to “try that in a small town”?
@@Kishanth.J It would certainly cut down on the corruption and 'big man in a little town' sense of megalomania
@@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing I was think mostly for budgetary reasons. Since police forces are expensive, but small town corruption is also a issue. Having a state or federal police service means their also a stronger oversight committee(depending on how it structured) where as small town cops are harder to police or file complaints about.
THIS is why I will always support auditors whether they're polite or rude... and WHY aren't more journalists doing this kinda of work rather than reading verbatim from press releases? ... we see THAT too
This needs to happen all over the country. Local cops are the most corrupt institutions in the world.
...and actual real journalism, not just access media!
@@VirakotxaI agree. This journalism is the best and a dime a dozen at its best!
Qualified immunity and the ability to police themselves are the root of the problems. They protect each other and are allowed to lie with no repercussions. It’s disgraceful and creates an environment that encourages criminal behavior.
Qualified immunity has zero to do with this situation.
Take away qualified immunity you will never again have police applying. Nobody will ever want to be police. You need to stop allowing frivolous lawsuits against police and prosecute cops based on the specific crime. Otherwise you might as well just let criminals take over, give away your belongings and quit your job because thugs will take it in a matter of time anyways.
@@Dyingforlifepeople always want to go to suing cops through cause it's easy to point that finger. Criminals like to play victims when money is easy to get in this day of age with liberal ambulance chasers.
@@joshuahenning2118 Wrong.
Exactly the same as the government🙄
There's absolutely no way the Council and Mayor weren't aware of this. They all need to be replaced.
Looks more like a crime syndicate than police department
A town of 250 people, everyone knows everything.
I agree. Clearly the citizens have felt 'over-policed' for some time. You would think that there would have been a few calls made to the mayor's office on the matter.
They were fired I live near there
Job well done! I wish we could see more of this type of investigative journalism.
Excellent. Now investigate the Mayor for approving 50 cops salaries and 50 cops worth of equipment, firearms, ammo, apparel, and vehicles.
Remember- some lived in Houston and never set foot in the town.
Yet he had no idea. His financial records need checked
I’m so relieved that investigative journalism is still alive and well ❤
Amen🙌🏾🙌🏾
Kudos JEREMY!!! You were relentless at reporting on this story, and yes you did an OUTSTANDING JOB!!!! He deserves a pay raise!!!
Hats off to that investigative journalist!!! That’s how to conduct an investigation. Hopefully, the new Chief will have some integrity and investigative experience.
This investigation is how reporters get recognized and win awards for Excellence!
Well Done, Jeremy Rogalski!
Aren't any of the offices subject to independent audits? The corruption is mind blowing.
Why would the city council audit them when they bring in over 1 million dollars in fines for a town of 250? That's their cash cow.
My point exactly.
Imagine being the mayor of a town with a blatant abuse of police powder situation and being interviewed in a dirty shirt and shorts. No wonder Coffee City is as crap as it is.
he has to be on the take here as well
"Police powder".... 😄
The mayor doesn't have clean hands on this situation either. He was either in on what the police department was doing or is too incompetent to run a city. The Mayor of a city is in charge of the Chief of Police. The chief of police answers to the mayor.
@@revolutionday1 I know, I know. Stooppid autocorrect.
Thinking the same thing…wouldn’t surprise me if he was in on it also.
They say it calls into question his integrity. I don’t think there’s any questions at all about his “integrity”.
This is AMAZING journalism. I watched every minute of it.
What will you do with the information you learned here?
@@imacmillthere is nothing we can do. The govt owns us.
@@aaronqueen55 At what point in history was that NOT true? How far back do you go?
@@Letsberealish Exactly what comment of mine are you referring to?
@@imacmill there needs to be enough people to get pushback, but people are too busy and scared.
Local journalism isn’t a huge money maker but it deserves to be propped up when you get results like these. We can never let it die. Great investigation.
I don't live in Coffee city and never heard of it until now but I think you did a hell of a job exposing this CORRUPTION!!!!!
It's on lake Palestine outside of Tyler Texas
ABOLISH QUALIFIED IMMUNITY. ABOLISH QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.
Please look into the city council and Mayor next. Between some of the reactions you posted and a comment reported by a CBS where he stated that deactivating the police force meant no further investigation was needed, the mayor especially seems incredibly sketchy.
They want to stop the bleeding
c
City attorney
council members past and present
city accountant and all
The mayor is in on it. You can't be that inept and not notice that.
The mayor might not have known about the history, but he and the council sure knew they had 1 officer for every five residents. Hard to believe they didn't know something shady was going on.
Don't stop the investigation.
Too funny so true, the "We didn't realize..." defense is pretty thin.
It may be possible for the mayor to not really know. If the chief is entrusted with all the hiring, pays for uniforms and equipment without consulting with the city council. He probably has his general budget approved each year by the board, with the ticket revenue coming in he probably had excellent funding for line items in his budget....salaries. uniforms, equipment, squad cars, etc....with the overall budget approved he probably had a very generous cadh fund or petty cash fund...with the city flush with money from traffic fines why bother with oversight, just trust the chief to spend as he sees fit...easier for them, easier for the chief. As I see it there should be a close look to see if any kick back schemes were going on with, maybe not every member of the council, but certainly ones assigned to the police committee and the mayor.
He says he tries to see the good in everybody but I guarantee when he arrests a citizen they get no breaks.
crazy to think even one great journalist exists these days. this is incredible and you all should be very proud.
The chief should be fired for not reporting the DWI and also for not showing up for court. He’s obviously lying about why he didn’t report it.
It did seem a bit hypocritical that he hired people to grab and/or fine people for FTAs, yet he was one. "Welcome to Florida! Come on vacation. Leave on probation!"
Agreed. Total liar, along with the chain up!!!
Jeremy Rogalski is one of the best interigator/interviewers I've ever seen. He never batted an eyelid interviewing that cop. And it is obvious by the wash-up, of this sordid business, that he is an indefatigable worker.
Well done, JR!
He fearlessly pressed him.
I was impressed
How can the Mayor and city council be unaware of this?
None of them are doing their job well.
He hired other crooks to help felicitate and hide his illegal activities.
This was some good investigative reporting.
JEREMY, youre a champion among journalists. Doing true journalism in the world of bullshit. Thank you for your service
He got this story from another channel. How foes that make him a champion?
@@walkingdeadman4208 He did the follow up didn’t he? The other channel just told about it and let it drop didn’t they?
Stuff like this ruins the public trust in law enforcement, what a shame
Nouthing but a bunch of road pirates. The city officials didn’t care as long as the ticket revenue came in.. at least they sided care tial the story broke
Brother the police have been like this since their inception. This is a organized crime syndicate who harass citizens if they speak out, who kill animals and citizens if they deem them out of line, they steal, defraud, and do so much illegal shit while saying how they will protect and serve. The Supreme Court said they don't have to protect and serve anyone so who are they for? This is happening all over the country right now.
That's everywhere. They have qoutas. Judges get voted in and some of that is based on arrests,how many ppl are in jail under him/her.
It's all profit for the courts and state.
Cops are soldiers for the state not for us.
Not all are corrupt though but the whole system is diseased which is why judgement is waiting repent
You think it's a shame to not trust the government? I bet you're a bootlicking fool.
I'll never call the bastards. Unless I want someone murdered or I want someone's pet shot.
Law enforcement is made up of narcissists and sociopaths who enjoy kidnapping people for profit. They're scum
Gotta love how any regular person with a criminal past has a negative chance of getting a job but somehow it is perfectly "ok" for a cop to have a criminal past