Here are some of the issues that will be discussed on today’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show.

Cole Shooter, KFYO
Cole Shooter, KFYO
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Hernandez vs. LPD

Lubbock City Councilman Victor Hernandez made news over the weekend after he took to Facebook to criticize Lubbock Police Officers. According to KFYO News, Hernandez was concerned that excessive force was used on a criminal illegal alien who allegedly almost killed a Lubbock Police Officer.

Friday morning around 11am, District 1 Lubbock City Councilman Victor Hernandez (pictured, left) took to his personal Facebook page, to post a criticism of the Lubbock Police Department. Hernandez specifically took issue with the conducts of a few officers who apprehended Jose Escarcega on the night of July 29/30, 2015.

Escarcega is accused of stealing the patrol unit of LPD Corporal Ryan Durrett and driving the Tahoe into an utility pole in an attempt to injure Corporal Durrett.

Durrett suffered a broken leg and other injuries in the incident and when Escarcega was booked into the Lubbock County Jail, there were numerous bruises and scrapes on his face. The booking photo for Escarcega can be seen in this article.

Hernandez called for an Internal Affairs investigation into the officers who apprehended Escarcega, and to find out whether or not excessive for was used. LPD admitted an IA investigation was underway in a statement released Friday afternoon.

According to other reports, an investigation was already on-going at the time Hernandez made his social media post.

The post by Hernandez was criticized by Mayor Glen Robertson as well as the Lubbock Professional Police Association. According to KFYO, the LPPA accused Hernandez of a possible felony for his release of information.

LUBBOCK PROFESSIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the Office of the President
Jeremy C. Jones

In response to the open statement made by Councilman Victor Hernandez, The Lubbock Professional Police Association is concerned by the despicable nature in which Councilman Hernandez utilized social media as a platform to grandstand for his personal and political gain.

In this incident officers responded to the broadcast of a fellow officer in a dire situation, who had been severely injured. The LPPA understands the need for departmental review in all facets surrounding the case. The Association supports the internal review of the incident, and we are confident in the thoroughness and impartiality of the review process.

The greater concern to the Association is Councilman Hernandez’s release of the information and the manner in which he did so. The LPPA believes that Councilman Hernandez only had access to this information by virtue of his elected office and position as a PUBLIC SERVANT. We are concerned that his release of such information is likely in violation of Article 39.06 of the Texas Penal Code, which is a Felony of the Third Degree. Councilman Hernandez released information via Facebook at approximately 11 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2015. This is prior to any related release of information by the City of Lubbock.

Councilman Hernandez stated in his ill considered and untimely release, “I was equally saddened that the acts of a few Lubbock Police Officers have the potential of tainting the entire department.” The LPPA believes that it is the inflammatory nature of Councilman Hernandez’s editorial comments that will taint the Lubbock Police Department, The City of Lubbock, and the citizens of Lubbock. It is unfortunate that Councilman Hernandez would use an incident where a Police Officer was seriously injured in the line of duty for his personal and political gain.

The Lubbock Professional Police Association represents 330 Sworn Lubbock Police Officers.

I will have a lot to say about comments made by Victor Hernandez today on my show. Sadly, Hernandez continues to be an embarrassment for the City of Lubbock. He should be ashamed of himself and he should do us all a favor and just resign. I feel bad for the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. I feel bad because there is a member of the Lubbock City Council who would rather play politics than have the backs of those officers. Hernandez would rather slam those brave officers than stand-up for them. Shame on Victor Hernandez and shame on anyone who supports Hernandez.

A police officer was almost murdered by a thug who shouldn't even be in this country. Citizen or not, a thug that would do that to a police officer would probably do the same to anyone else. That criminal is lucky to be alive today in my opinion. He deserved much more than a kick to the face while he was sitting next to or on top of the body of the officer.

I have no problem standing with those officers and the Lubbock Police Department while City Councilman Victor Hernandez is worried that the criminal who almost murdered one of LPD's own wasn't treated nicely.

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These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show. Tune in mornings 8:30-11am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard on our KFYO YouTube page after the show and online at kfyo.com.

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