To: Joe Gamaldi, President, Houston Police Officers Union
Tell Houston Police Officers Union President Joe Gamaldi to resign
Houston's faith in its police officers has been shaken to the core by gross police misconduct that led to the deaths of two civilians and the shooting of five police officers. Joe Gamaldi has only made matters worse: first by recklessly blaming activists for the shooting, and then by remaining silent about officers' misconduct. Joe Gamaldi must resign as President of Houston Police Officers Union.
Why is this important?
Houston Police Officers Union Joe Gamaldi has shown that he simply can't be trusted, and he should step down immediately.
After five Houston police officers were shot and two civilians were killed in a botched raid, Gamaldi recklessly and baselessly threatened activists who work for police accountability and reform with targeting and surveillance: "We're going to be keeping track on all of y'all, and we're going to make sure to hold you accountable every time you stir the pot on our police officers."
Then Houston news outlets began reporting the truth: that two of the officers had falsified evidence used to obtain the warrant that led to the shootings. Their lies -- not black and Latino activists -- imperiled the police officers and left two people dead. Now the FBI is investigating the crooked officers who conducted the raid.
In the weeks since the truth came out, Gamaldi has failed to publicly apologize. Even worse, he has deflected and minimized the need for change when confronted with growing calls for accountability for the officers who put their colleagues in danger and violated the public's trust.
Gamaldi's behavior is inexcusable. At best, it shows that he's incapable of leadership. At worse, it reveals that he will capitalize on any tragedy to win cheap points with people who think police should be above the law. Police officers and the public deserve better leadership in this moment. Please join me in demanding that Joe Gamaldi resign as president of Houston Police Officers Union.
After five Houston police officers were shot and two civilians were killed in a botched raid, Gamaldi recklessly and baselessly threatened activists who work for police accountability and reform with targeting and surveillance: "We're going to be keeping track on all of y'all, and we're going to make sure to hold you accountable every time you stir the pot on our police officers."
Then Houston news outlets began reporting the truth: that two of the officers had falsified evidence used to obtain the warrant that led to the shootings. Their lies -- not black and Latino activists -- imperiled the police officers and left two people dead. Now the FBI is investigating the crooked officers who conducted the raid.
In the weeks since the truth came out, Gamaldi has failed to publicly apologize. Even worse, he has deflected and minimized the need for change when confronted with growing calls for accountability for the officers who put their colleagues in danger and violated the public's trust.
Gamaldi's behavior is inexcusable. At best, it shows that he's incapable of leadership. At worse, it reveals that he will capitalize on any tragedy to win cheap points with people who think police should be above the law. Police officers and the public deserve better leadership in this moment. Please join me in demanding that Joe Gamaldi resign as president of Houston Police Officers Union.