UNION CHIEF HITS OFFICERS' FIRINGS

The firings of six Houston police officers involved in the July 12 shooting
death of Pedro Oregon Navarro was blasted as "political" Tuesday by the
president of the city's largest police union.

"This was a political decision," said Hans Marticiuc of the Houston Police
Officers Union, adding that Police Chief C.O. Bradford bowed to public
pressure.

"Chief Bradford simply didn't like the decision of the grand jury," said
Marticiuc, referring to the panel's clearing all six officers except for
indicting one on charges of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

The officers said Oregon pointed a gun at him when they burst into his room.

Oregon, 22, was shot 12 times, including nine times in the back.

Oregon's gun had not been fired, and no drugs were found in his apartment.

Although Marticiuc said the officers should not have been fired, he
declined to comment on the soundness of the officers' actions.

"I think we will take a position (on their actions) after the facts come
out (during the indicted officer's trial), because then facts will come out
that the public does not now know about," Marticiuc said.

The six officers, he said, will have legal representation available to them
at union expense.