The following is a statement by Tarsha Jackson, Harris County director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in reaction to a Waller County grand jury indicting DPS trooper Brian Encinia, and by the decision of DPS to fire Encinia.
“Today’s indictment and firing of Trooper Encinia is a solid first step toward achieving justice in the untimely death of Sandra Bland. It is unacceptable and reprehensible for Encinia to have lied in his report of what happened when he pulled over Ms. Bland. The grand jury has acknowledged this perjury and made the right call. DPS also made the right call to fire Encinia, something that TOP has been calling for since Bland’s death.
“While our organization would have preferred an assault charge to have been brought up, it is our ultimate hope that this indictment will spark a shift in how law enforcement agencies across the nation hold their officers accountable for misbehavior in the line of duty.
“During a meeting with DPS Director Steve McCraw in September of last year to discuss TOP’s concerns with Trooper Encinia’s conduct toward Ms. Bland, we spoke at great length about the importance of trust and accountability between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“TOP believes that the indictment further shows that Trooper Encinia blatantly violated that trust and accountability, and his firing is therefore justified.
“Furthermore, we call on DPS to improve its training in the areas of de-escalation, communications, and crisis intervention. A bright, vibrant, and promising life was lost due in part to the unlawful actions of a DPS trooper. It is our hope that improved training will cut down on the racial profiling and abusive behavior that she was subject to.”
