By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-922755.mp3
Dallas, TX – A top Dallas Police Commander is suspended over the police escort ordered for the funeral procession of Chief David Brown's son. KERA's BJ Austin reports.
David Brown Jr. was shot and killed by Lancaster police after he killed an officer and a bystander at an apartment complex on Father's Day. During his funeral procession on Central Expressway, Dallas Police motorcycle officers were ordered to form and escort to assist with traffic control. That is an honor reserved primarily for fallen police officers. The escort for David Brown Jr. outraged many officers.
An independent investigation found it was not a pre-planned escort. The decision to order it for public safety reasons was justified. But disciplinary action was recommended against Deputy Chief Julian Bernal for making the statement that the escort was ordered "out of respect for the Chief." The report says Bernal was completely unaware the effect that comment would have on the Department and city of Dallas. City Manager Mary Shum has suspended Bernal for two days.
She has also made it clear a longstanding department tradition of assisting the family of a police officer during work hours will no longer be permitted.Officers who did so during the week of the funeral have changed their time cards to reflect vacation.
Chief Brown will create a committee to look at such "aid" to DPD families in times of need and make recommendations within 90 days.