'TULIA PROPOSAL' FOR REVEALING OFFICERS' CRIMES EARNS FAVOR OF STATE
LEGISLATURE

AUSTIN Proven reports of crimes by former peace officers would be
public under a measure supported by both chambers of the Texas
Legislature.

Senate Bill 1583 permits the release of information given to the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education that
describe a fired or resigned officer with a proven record of criminal
conduct. Traffic violations still would be confidential.

The bill was inspired by the controversial 1999 drug bust in Tulia in
which a white undercover narcotics officer arrested more than 40
people, mostly black. It is one of three proposals submitted to
lawmakers by the Texas chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union
and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The "Tulia Proposals" included the TCLEOSE provision, one that limited
judicial discretion in admitting evidence and one to require
corroboration for the testimony of an undercover agent.

An 18-month solo investigation by undercover agent Tom Coleman netted
arrests that earned national attention for being criticized as
racially motivated. Coleman used no surveillance or recording
equipment during the investigation.

Coleman's reputation also has been tarnished with the appearance of a
letter to the agency from Cochran County that said he'd been charged
with misusing property, fuel and money while he worked there as a
sheriff's deputy. He paid about $7,000 in restitution, and the charges
were dismissed.

The Rev. Charles Kiker of Tulia has been a major supporter of those
arrested.

"Hoo-rah!" he said of the bill's passage, adding that the bill's
supporters aren't optimistic about passage of the bill limiting
judicial discretion over evidence.

Differing versions of the bill to require corroboration of testimony
are working through both the House and Senate.

The TCLEOSE bill now returns to the Senate for that body to concur
with the House bill.