SO disputes chief’s claim over jail turn-aways

Frio County Chief Deputy Peter Salinas is disputing a claim made by the Pearsall Police chief that county jailers are denying cell space to local detainees.

Chief Daniel Flores told councilors on Tuesday, July 9, that his officers are arresting suspects with active warrants or those who have committed other crimes and that jail staffers are refusing them on grounds that the facility is full.

“A lot of time, from what I am being told, is them not having available space,” Flores told councilors when questioned why suspects were turned away from the jail.

Chief Deputy Salinas refutes that claim.

Records kept at the facility indicate that jail staff only rejected two arrestees from the Pearsall Police Department during June.

“Upon opening our jail after nearly a decade we have found that even at ninety-six beds there are times that we may require even more space,” the chief deputy said during an interview Monday afternoon. “When space becomes limited, we ask our officers to focus on violent crime offenses. This ensures our community can remain safe despite the limited space.”

Salinas said the state of Texas allows minor offenders to be issued citations and released with a court date.

“We ask that these types of non-violent offenses be handled this way if at all possible,” Salinas said. “There is no room for officers to approach arrests as trophy stats to hang their hat on. Lastly, we ask our jail detention officers to evaluate incoming arrests for medical and mental health issues they may be suffering from.”

Salinas said that if jail staff detect that a suspect may be suffering from mental illness it is mandatory that the person be cleared by medical professionals.

“These are not new protocols,” the chief deputy said. “They have been in effect in nearly every operating jail of our size. This can be an inconvenience but is simply part of the job we all must do. “We ask that officers remain professional and remember that a jail is no place for a person in a mental crisis,” the chief deputy said. “There are facilities where these types of sufferers can be housed and receive help. We have this day, and every day, always had the best interest of our Frio citizens in mind when conducting our enforcement activities. Anyone who may have a difference of opinion has most likely been misinformed or could benefit from more law enforcement experience.”

In his report to the city council, Chief Flores said that during June, officers had 92 offenses, made 28 arrests, handled 225 incident reports, issued 155 citations, wrote 222 warnings, conducted 55 security checks, and answered 525 calls for service.

Additionally, officers seized 20.4 grams of methamphetamine, 14 grams of marijuana, and 2.5 grams of heroin.

“I could not be more happy right now, where the PD is at,” Chief Flores said.

The chief said his department recently hired three new officers and has one vacancy.

Councilor James Leal asked the police chief about obtaining drug-detecting dogs.

“Now that you are fully staffed, do you foresee something, other than investigations, that we can do to crack down on drugs in the city, [for example] canines?” Leal asked.

“Training, one thing we do need is [patrol] units,” Flores said. “They are hard to come by. We purchased some in 2022. Ford Explorers have been giving us some issues. Officers are very new to the career, and we want to get them trained before we start issuing titles. Two are straight out of the academy.”

Flores said he hopes the council will consider adding two investigators in the next budget cycle.

“The caseload that our detectives are dealing with… we currently have 441 open felony cases,” the police chief said. “Each investigator has a little over 100 right now. We are able to knock out about 30 cases a month, that is to get processed and sent to the district attorney. That is one thing I want to look at with the budget to create two new investigator positions.

“I do not see any other way how we can manage to keep up with the caseload,” the chief said. “It has been that way for some time now.”