Black Ministers End Partnership with Houston Police - Refuse to Agree to Prohibition Against Criticism

From [HERE] A three-decades-old partnership between the city's black ministers and the Houston Police Department has ended after pastors refused to agree to new guidelines issued by Chief Charles McClelland that prohibits them from criticizing the police or city administration.

The ACLU and longtime civil rights activists blasted the prohibition against criticism by clergy who volunteer with the department.

McClelland changed the organization of HPD's religious volunteers by forming a group called the Police and Clergy Alliance (PACA). He issued guidelines governing the new alliance that took effect April 26.

Last week, an estimated 100 to 150 black ministers who are members of the Houston Ministers Against Crime turned in their HPD-issued credentials, saying they would no longer work with police, the pastor's group director confirmed.

The ministers against crime organization was founded in 1976, and Houston leaders have since heralded the group's accomplishments at improving relations between police and minorities at national mayor's conferences and other forums.

"It's hurting that in 2012 preachers cannot say in the United States what they want to say about what's going on that's not righteous," said the Rev. Robert Jefferson. "If anybody stands for righteousness, it ought to be a preacher. But if you got to obey a piece of paper saying you can't associate with people who are against the police department, you can't say nothing against the mayor or say nothing against the police chief, I quit because I'm going to be free to say what God tells me to do."

No individual limits

In a statement, McClelland said the prohibition against criticizing HPD is in force only while the clergy members are wearing an HPD-issued badge. The badge is essentially a photo identification card with the city's seal and motto and under the words "Houston Police Department."

McClelland said the police department has had multiple ministerial groups with various missions and whose activities were difficult to coordinate.

"With the formation of PACA this is a good way that we refocus, make sure we're all on the same page and committed to the same goals," McClelland said. "It is unfortunate some ministers feel they are being silenced by myself or HPD. As I have stated from the outset, they are free to do or say whatever they want as individuals. Any guidelines apply only when they are speaking in their official capacity as representatives of the alliance with an HPD badge."

However, HPD's recently issued 12-page guidelines do not appear to make a distinction about when a clergy alliance member can speak, stating they are not to "hold a press conference/press briefing where the purpose is to condemn city administration or the Houston Police Department."

The guidelines also directs that clergy alliance members "will not represent any person or entity in any matter adverse to the city or HPD."

Question of credibility

Longtime civil rights activist Johnny Mata called HPD's new policy ridiculous.

"It's very simple - we're becoming a police state in America since 9/11," Mata said. "I don't blame them (minsters) for turning in credentials. Freedom of speech is essential, especially for clergy. That is really absurd. It's anti-freedom of speech and everything the Constitution stands for."

Terrie Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas, called the policy counterproductive.

"HPD wants volunteer clergy to lend credibility to the department, and to show that the department is actively reaching out to the community," Burke said. "But this policy may make clergy feel gagged. How is HPD's credibility bolstered by clergy that have been muted?"

HPD denied a Houston Chronicle request for names of any current clergy alliance member, including the five co-chairs of a governing board its members elect. HPD spokesman Victor Sentias said the volunteers are not public information.

Janice Evans, a spokeswoman for Mayor Annise Parker, said the reorganization was an effort by McClelland to make the clergy group more inclusive. Evans said the mayor's office would release the names of clergy alliance members, but had not by presstime.

Duty to speak out

The Rev. James Nash, who is secretary of the Ministers Against Crime southwest chapter, said the March 2010 beating of teen burglar Chad Holley by HPD officers is a key example of a situation where pastors have a duty to speak out against the police.

"When we see that, as pastors it's our job to speak out against police officers that get out of control like that. We would be remiss as pastors," Nash said. "We would be just as guilty ourselves if we went along just to get along."