DRUG OFFICER IN TULIA BUSTS RECENTLY FIRED

An undercover narcotics officer whose 1999 drug operation in Tulia resulted
in the arrest of about 10 percent of the city's black population has been
fired from his job as an undercover agent south of Dallas.

Tom Coleman, 41, was fired about three weeks ago from the Southeast
Metroplex Narcotics Task Force for engaging in "a relationship that was
inappropriate," said Ellis County District Attorney Joe Grubbs. Coleman was
working in Waxahachie, about 25 miles south of Dallas.

Coleman's work in Tulia inspired a set of bills known as "The Tulia
Proposals," one of which was signed Tuesday by Gov. Rick Perry. The bill
allows for the release of information pertaining to criminal activity when
those actions result in an officer's termination.

Grubbs, who hired Coleman less than a year ago, declined to comment
specifically about why Coleman was fired.

"It was not related to his undercover activities as far as buying, selling
drugs, the handling of drugs or anything like that," Grubbs said.

No criminal charges are expected to be filed against Coleman, Grubbs said.

He would not elaborate.

"I'm being told that because of lawsuit threats that I should limit my
discussions," Grubbs said.

John Goss, commander for the Southeast Metroplex Narcotics Task Force, also
declined to say why Coleman was fired.

"I have no comment on that right now," Goss said Tuesday.

Coleman did not return calls to The Avalanche-Journal on Monday. A woman
who answered his home phone on Tuesday refused to give Coleman the phone
and said that he had no comment.

The A-J contacted the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers
Standards and Education, but a representative with the agency said she
could not divulge the reason why Coleman was fired.

On Tuesday, Perry signed a bill that will allow the commission to release
information on a fired or resigned officer with a proven record of criminal
conduct. Coleman was being paid $31,691 annually, Grubbs said.

The county paid 25 percent of Coleman's salary with drug forfeiture funds,
and the other 75 percent came from a criminal justice grant, Grubbs said.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the undercover operation in
Tulia. Coleman used no surveillance or recording equipment.

Soon after he began working in Swisher County, Coleman was charged with
theft and abuse of his official position in Cochran County, where he had
worked as a deputy. He was accused of misusing property, fuel and money
belonging to Cochran County.

Coleman paid about $7,000 in restitution and the charges were dismissed.

The district attorney in Ellis County said he didn't know about the
investigation into the Tulia raid when he hired Coleman.

Grubbs said, however, that Coleman was supervised while working in
Waxahachie. Grubbs said he didn't know how many people were arrested as a
result of Coleman's investigation there, but he did say that some people
had been prosecuted.

Coleman used audio and video surveillance, Grubbs said.

"I know that was kind of a question in Tulia (where) he was kind of a Lone
Ranger," Grubbs said.